Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2011 Nov;66(4):335-40. doi: 10.1007/s11130-011-0260-2.
Walnut has been regarded as a health food that is delicious and nutritious. Both preventive and therapeutic effects of walnut are well documented. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are reported to have beneficial effects on brain function. The present work was designed to evaluate the effects of walnuts on learning and memory in male rats. The effect of oral intake of walnut was also monitored on food intake. Walnut was given orally to rats for a period of 28 days. Memory function in rats was assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM) and radial arm maze (RAM). A significant improvement in learning and memory of walnut treated rats compared to controls was observed. Walnut treated rats also exhibited a significant decrease in food intake while the change in growth rate (in terms of percentage) remained comparable between the two groups. Analysis of brain monoamines exhibited enhanced serotonergic levels in rat brain following oral intake of walnuts. The findings suggest that walnut may exert its hypophagic and nootropic actions via an enhancement of brain 5-HT metabolism.
核桃一直被认为是一种美味且营养丰富的健康食品。核桃具有预防和治疗作用，这方面已有大量记载。核桃富含ω-3 脂肪酸，据报道对大脑功能有有益影响。本工作旨在评估核桃对雄性大鼠学习和记忆的影响。还监测了核桃对食物摄入的口服摄入的影响。核桃经口给予大鼠 28 天。通过高架十字迷宫（EPM）和放射臂迷宫（RAM）评估大鼠的记忆功能。与对照组相比，核桃处理组大鼠的学习和记忆能力有明显改善。核桃处理组大鼠的食物摄入量也明显减少，而两组之间的生长速度（以百分比表示）变化相当。脑单胺分析表明，口服摄入核桃后大鼠脑中 5-HT 水平升高。研究结果表明，核桃可能通过增强脑 5-HT 代谢来发挥其食欲抑制和益智作用。
