Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the modern world. Besides metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities, NASH is associated with increased prevalence of neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. Sage-leaved rock-rose Cistus salviifolius L. (CS) is a plant with a wide spectrum of biological activities including possible psychotropic and procognitive effects. In view of the above, the present study was aimed at exploring the potential therapeutic effects of a CS aqueous extract in behavioural and memory dysfunction associated with experimental murine alimentary/ toxic NASH. 90 male C57Bl/6 mice were randomized into the following groups: (1) Control: NASH + no treatment; (2) CS253: NASH + 253 mg·kg-1 b.w. CS ex-tract; (3) CS506: NASH + 506 mg·kg-1 b.w. CS extract. NASH was induced over 3 months, and the drugs were administered orally q.d. during the experimental period. As assessed by the Open field, Elevated plus maze, and Light/dark box test, both doses of the CS extract induced sedation with possible anxiogenic effect in mice. In addition, the CS extract alleviated spatial memory dysfunction but had no effect on object recognition memory. Possible mechanisms behind the extract’s effects include the potentiation of calcium-dependent neuronal signaling as well as the modulation of central γ-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, or monoamine neurotransmission, which requires further elucidation. © 2024 Global Media Technologies. All rights reserved.
