The Effect of Green Betel (Piper betle L.) Leaves Extract on Mice's (Mus musculus L.) Memory Performance and Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Abstract

Hippocampal neurogenesis has essential roles in learning and memory performance that can be affected by various factors such as dietary and several bioactive compounds and pharmacological agents. Betel leaves (Piper betle) was a popular functional and nutritive medicinal herb. This study aims to determine the effect of green betel (Piper betle) leaves extract on mice memory performance and hippocampal neurogenesis. The study was conducted on 12 mice divided into three groups: the control group and the treatment group of Piper betle leaves extract 200mg/kg bw (PBE200) and 400mg/kg bw (PBE400). The research method used includes material preparation, animal drug treatment, spatial memory performance using the y-maze test, recognition memory performance using the novel object recognition test, analysis of hippocampal neurogenesis, and data analysis. Mice treated with 200mg/kg bw betel leaf extract for 28 days showed a significant increase in recognition memory performance and significantly decreased apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. This can conclude that the betel leaf extract has neuroprotective abilities. Meanwhile, administration of betel leaf extract showed no significant difference in spatial memory performance and increased neural progenitor and granular cells in the hippocampus.