Allium Ascalonicum L. Ethanolic Extract Inhibited the Decrease of eNOS but did not Inhibit the Decrease of Spatial Memory in D-Galactose-Induced Balb/c Male Mice

Background: Currently, the focus of health services has shifted to maintaining cognitive function in old age. Impaired cognitive function can be caused by aging of blood vessels, characterized by decreased endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO). Shallots have been proven to contain flavonoids which have a neuroprotective effect by increasing cerebral blood flow. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of shallots in inhibiting the decrease of spatial memory and eNOS levels. Method: The randomized pre-posttest control group design was carried out on 26 healthy three-month-old Balb/C male mice with a 20-30 grams bodyweight, divided equally into two random groups. The control group was given 2 ml of aquadest orally, while the treatment group was given ethanolic extract of shallots at a dose of 16.8mg/20gBW/day dissolved in 2 mL of aquadest. After two hours of administration, both groups were induced with D-Galactose orally 0.3 mg/gr BW/day once a day. Treatments were given daily for four weeks. Measurement of eNOS levels and spatial memory using Morris Water Maze test was carried out before the intervention (pretest) and after (posttest). Comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the differences between the two groups and a correlation test between eNOS levels and spatial memory was performed. Results: The pre-posttest comparison resultsof eNOS showed a significant decrease (Pless than0.05) in both groups, however the difference between posttest-pretest (? post-pretest) showed that the decrease was significantly higher in control compared to the treatment group (p=0.031).This indicates that shallot ethanolic extract was able to inhibit the decrease of eNOS level. The pre-posttest comparison results showed a significant decrease (Pless than0.05) in spatial memory and ? post-pretest did not differ (pgreater than0.05) between control and treatment groups. This indicates shallot ethanolic extract did not inhibit the decrease of spatial memory. No significant correlation was foundbetween eNOS and spatial memory. Conclusion: Administration of oral ethanolic shallots extractinhibited the decreaseofeNOS level but did not inhibit the decrease of spatial memory. The potential of shallots needs to be studied furtherto get an effective period of administration and doses.