Pecan Oil Influences Learning and Memory and NF-κB Levels in the Hippocampus of Rats after MWM Test

Abstract

We assessed the effectiveness and mechanism of action of Pecan oil on learning and memory and NF-κB levels in the hippocampus of rats after Morris water maze (MWM test). Pecan oil (200,400 or 800 mg/kg/d) were administered by intragavage once daily for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the ability of Pecan oil to increase learning and memory impairment. The levels of NF-κB in hippocampus of rats were detected by Westernblot after MWM test. Compared to untreated controls (P<0.01), MWM could be prolonged after Pecan oil treatment (P<0.05 for low and intermediate dose groups). Westernblot analysis showed that the protein expression of NF-κB was decreased in different concentration Pecan oil(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). The results suggest that Pecan oil is effective in improving the learning and memory in rats, the mechanism of which may be related NF-κB expression decreasing.