Restoration of Harmane Induced Memory Consolidation Deficit by Alpha-lipoic Acid in Male Mice

Introduction: there has been a growing number of publications focusing on the effect of beta-carbolines (e.g., harmane) on cognitive behaviors such as different stages of memory formation process. Moreover, several studies have stated that Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) induces some molecular pathways effects including antioxidant effect and reduction of inflammation process. Thus, in the lines that follow, the question of whether ALA could alter memory consolidation deficit caused by harmane in the male NMRI mice will be addressed. Materials and Methods: The data for this study were collected by step-down inhibitory avoidance task with one trial protocol for evaluation of memory consolidation. The ALA (35 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately after training followed by subthreshold and effective doses of harmane (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) with 15-minute interval period. Results: The results show that post-training injection of the highest dose of harmane (10 mg/kg) lowers step-down latency, indicating the amnesia induced by harmane (P .001). In addition, similar injection of subthreshold dose of ALA (35 mg/kg), 15 minutes before injection of subthreshold and effective doses of harmane, restores step-down latency caused by higher dose of harmane (P .001) without its effect on the responses induced by subthreshold doses of harmane, indicating benefit effect of ALA on amnesia induced by harmane. Conclusion: An implication of this study is the possibility that ALA can reverse the amnesia induced by harmane. Therefore, future studies on this topic such as molecular mechanisms are recommended.