2026 ECNP Congress

PS03-3205

Effects of Kochia scoparia seed extract on passive-avoidance memory in rats with chronic ethanol exposure

Elis Rafailova — M. Ahmedova, M. Todorova, S. Valcheva-Kuzmanova, S. Georgieva, M. Nikolova, O. Tasinov, S. Gancheva · Medical University of Varna, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Varna, Bulgaria

2026 ECNP Congress

Introduction

Chronic alcohol consumption is a major global health concern, contributing significantly to cognitive decline [1]. It impairs memory function by disrupting cognitive processes essential for memory retention and retrieval. In addition, chronic ethanol exposure promotes oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through increased production of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby contributing to neurodegenerative changes [2]. Kochia scoparia (KS) is an annual plant widely distributed in many regions with reported antioxidant, memory-enhancing, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties [3]. However, its potential protective effects against alcohol-induced cognitive impairment remain insufficiently explored.

Aims

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of KS seed extract, administered at three increasing doses, on cognitive performance in rats subjected to chronic ethanol consumption.

Methods

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: Control, Ethanol (EtOH), EtOH+25KS, EtOH+50KS and EtOH+100KS. Chronic ethanol exposure was induced over 6 weeks by oral administration of ethanol at a total dose of 4 g/kg/day (25% v/v solution), administered by oral gavage in two equal doses. KS seed extract (70% ethanol extract) was administered orally once daily at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, cognitive performance was assessed using the step-through passive-avoidance test, consisting of a training session and a test session performed 24 hours later. Memory retention was evaluated by latency time to enter the dark compartment and by the percentage of animals entering it during the test session. Statistical analysis included Fisher’s exact test for group comparisons of avoidance behavior, one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s and linear trend post-tests for latency time analysis, and two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-test for within-subject comparisons between training and test sessions.

Results

Chronic ethanol administration resulted in significant cognitive impairment, as evidenced by a markedly increased percentage of animals entering the dark compartment during the test session compared to controls (p<0.0001, Fisher’s exact test), indicating impaired memory retention. KS extract administration attenuated ethanol-induced cognitive deficits, as shown by a significant reduction in the percentage of animals entering the dark compartment across all doses (p<0.0001). Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in latency time during the test session was observed (p<0.05, linear trend). Two-way ANOVA revealed that control and all KS-treated groups showed a significant increase in latency time from training to test session (p<0.001 in Control, EtOH+50KS and EtOH+100KS groups, and p<0.01 in EtOH+25KS group), whereas the ethanol-only group showed no significant improvement, confirming memory impairment.

Conclusions

The present findings demonstrate that KS seed extract exerts a significant protective effect against ethanol-induced cognitive impairment, as evidenced by improved passive-avoidance performance. These results support further investigation of KS as a candidate for mitigating alcohol-related cognitive dysfunction and highlight its potential as a neuroprotective agent against alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction.

References

  1. World Health Organization, 2024. Global status report on alcohol and health and treatment of substance use disorders. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240096745; Accessed at 5/5/2026.
  2. Liao, Y., Xu, F., Yan, Y., Zhou, S., Liu, N., Dou, B., Srinivasan, N., Wang, W., Zhu, X., Ye, J., Xu, Y., 2025. Chronic ethanol administration exacerbates memory loss by altering N6-methyladenosine-mediated epigenetic signaling. Frontiers in Immunology 16, 1455994.
  3. Reyzov, M., Gancheva, S., Eftimov, M., Todorova, M., Valcheva-Kuzmanova, S., Zhelyazkova-Savova, M., 2025. Kochia scoparia seed infusion ameliorates behavioral impairment in rats subjected to calorie-dense diet. Acta Medica Bulgarica 52(4), 43–49.