The Effects of Clomiphene on Hyoscine-Induced Memory Impairment in Male Rats

Abstract

Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neural defect and one of the most common progressive neuro-degenerative diseases which is life-threatening. It is defined with memory and recognition impairment. There is no certain cure to reverse damages or stop the progression. The role of estrogen in AD has been clear after identifying the estrogen receptors in some areas of brain wich are related to memory. Aim of study: In this study we investigated the effects of clomiphene (a selective estrogen receptor modulator) on memory impairment induced by scopolamine in male rats by using passive avoidance test.Methods: 42 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 7 groups ,and were treated in the following pattern: 1. Control group, treating with normal saline 1 ml/kg/day i.p. 2. Scopolamine group, 0.5 mg/kg/day i.p. 3. Clomiphene , 1 mg/kg/day i.p. 4. Clomiphene , 2 mg/kg/day i.p. 5. Clomiphene , 4 mg/kg/day i.p. 6. Donepezil , 0.1 mg/kg/day i.p. 7. Clomiphene , 2 mg/kg/day i.p. + donepezil, 0.1 mg/kg/day i.p. Groups 3 to 7 were treated with scopolamine with the same dose as group 2 to induce memory defect and each group were treated for 5 days. Finally, passive avoidance test was performed.Results: Mean memory retrieval time was maximum for rats that were treated with clomiphene,1 mg/kg/day ,and the difference was statistically significant compared with scopolamine group. By increasing the dose of clomiphene, the mean of memeory retrival decreased. No synergism was identified between clomiphene and donepezil.Conclusion: Clomiphene as a SERM, was able to exert positive effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment. Further investigations can be done on Clomiphene as a candidate for AD treatment