Influence of Antioxidant Compounds on Spatial Orientation and Memory in Rats in Morris Water Maze Test

The data of studies of the new antioxidant agent Enoxifol (2‐(3,4‐dioxyphenyl)‐9‐ diethylaminoethylimidazo[1.2‐a] benzimidazole dihydrobromide) (10 mg/kg) action on spatial orientation and memory in rats using Morris test in comparison to Mexidol (2‐ethyl‐6‐methyl‐3‐oxypyridine succinate) (100 mg/kg) are presented. Morris water maze test is widely used to evaluate spatial orientation and memory in experimental animals. Mexidol was taken as the native etalon antioxidant drug having the wide spectrum of psychotropic activities. It was shown that Enoxifol significantly 3 fold diminished the time of platform finding at the first day of investigation. Mexidol has a tendency to decrease that index as well. At the second day of testing only Mexidol allowed rats to keep the memorable track, and the time of platform finding was similar to those in the fourth try at the fist day. Enoxifol significantly 4.88 fold increased the rate of reproduction of the information in the repeated study from the first to the fourth try. Thus the conducted experiments allowed to establish the effective action of Mexidol and Enoxifol at the different stages of the memorable track formation and ability of animals for leaning.

Peroxidase in Frozen Vegetables

A collaborative study was made of ascorbic acid oxidation assay and the Morris test paper procedure for determining the amount of peroxidase in frozen vegetables. Uniform samples of ground, frozen peas and spinach were each blanched to 2 levels of activity. The ascorbic acid oxidation values were computed; 3 of 6 collaborators on the ascorbic acid oxidation test agreed fairly closely. The ascorbic acid oxidation procedure is recommended as first action. Results with the Morris test paper, reported by 8 collaborators, revealed considerable range in color reaction time in repeated observations by individual collaborators and between collaborators. Variations in test papers and in subjective judgment of individuals using these test papers indicate that each batch of papers prepared should be tested against standardized samples or against a standard peroxidase test. The test paper is useful for rapid but only semi-quantitative assay.