عصاره پوسته لیمو خشک موجب بهبود حافظه و کاهش رفتار شبه اضطرابی در رت‌های مواجه شده با بی‌حرکتی مزمن می‌شود.

Background and Aims: Chronic immobilization is a type of stress that causes behavioral disorders such as anxiety and memory deficits by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation and modification of the neurotransmitters in the brain. In the present study, the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of dried lemon peel (Citrus aurantifolia) on learning, spatial memory, and anxiety-like behavior in adult male rats exposed to chronic immobilization was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were used, which were divided into four groups: control, lemon, stress, and stress-lemon. To induce immobilization stress, the rats were immobilized in the restrainer cage for 6 hours every day for 21 consecutive days. Rats were treated with lemon extract (400 mg/kg) by gavage. Spatial learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze, and anxiety was studied using an elevated plus maze. Results: Based on the obtained findings, the lemon extract treatment in animals exposed to immobilization stress led to more swim time and distance in the target quarter in the water maze compared with the stress group (P<0.05). The extract increased the percentage of entry into the open arm (P<0.01) and the percentage of time spent in the open arm (P<0.05) of the elevated plus maze in the rats. Conclusion: Dried lemon peel extract improved learning and spatial memory in rats exposed to chronic immobilization and reduced their anxiety-like behaviors. Dried lemon peel extract possibly has a neuroprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]