Fataneh Hashem Dabaghian - Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Mehrdad Hashemi - Genetic Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
Maliheh Entezari - Biology Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
Shabnam Movassaghi - Anatomy Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Ashrafadin Goushegir - Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Samaneh Kalantari - Biology Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
Abolfazl Movafagh - School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Nadia Sharifi - Anatomy Department, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran

Objective(s):Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury causes loss of pyramidal cells in CA۱ region of hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of the ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) on a model of global transient ischemia in rat, by evaluating the pathophysiology of the hippocampal tissue and spatial memory. Materials and Methods: Treatment group (EECR, ۱۰۰ mg/kg/day) was gavaged from ۴ days before, to ۳ days after ischemia. Morris water maze test was performed ۱ week after ischemia for ۴ days. Brain tissue was prepared for Nissl staining. Results: Our data showed no statistical difference between the treatment and ischemia groups in water maze task. So, treatment of ischemia with EECR cannot improve spatial learning and memory. On the contrary EECR ameliorated the CA۱ pyramidal cell loss due to transient global ischemia/ reperfusion injury. Conclusion: These results suggest that EECR cannot reduce the ischemia-induced, cognitive impairments seen after transient, global cerebral ischemia but can prevent pyramidal cell loss in CA۱ region of hippocampus.

Cerebral ischemia, Cyperus rotundus, Morris Water Maze, Spatial Memory