Zahra Tamadonfard - Department of Animal Biology, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom Branch,Jahrom, Iran
Leili Sepehrara - Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun Branch, Kazerun, Iran
Habibalah Jouhary - Assistant Professor, Department ofBiology, Islamic Azad University, Darab Branch, Darab, Iran

Background & Aims: Memory and its role in learning have long been of interest to humans. Therefore, human beings have always sought ways to enhance their memory and reduce its deficit. In the present study, the effect of pumpkin seed extract on memory and learning in adult male rats were studied. Methods: The rats (weighing ۱۸۰-۲۲۰ g) were divided into ۷ groups (n = ۸); control, sham (control and sham groups had normal food and water, but a week before the test, the control group received distilled water through oral gavage), and experimental groups. The experimental groups received pumpkin seed extract in doses of ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, and ۸۰۰ mg/kg of body weight daily for ۱۷ days. Training began ۱۲ days after receiving seed extract. The extract was also administered during training. On day ۱۸, probe trial was performed without the administration of the extract. Results: Results showed that, in the groups receiving the extract, spatial memory increased significantly (P < ۰.۰۵); thisincrease, compared to the control and sham groups, was dose dependent. Conclusion: The results indicate that administration of pumpkin seed extract, due to its content of omega fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid) and vitamins D and E, increases spatial memory and learning

Barnes maze, Spatial Memory, Learning, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid