5th Edition of International Neurology Conference 2026

Background: Oxidative stress contributes to cognitive decline, particularly working memory impairment. The brain is highly vulnerable to reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance due to its high oxygen demand. Natural antioxidants represent a potential strategy to reduce oxidative stress. Rhizophora mucronata leaves contain flavonoids with antioxidant and potential neuroprotective properties; however, experimental evidence regarding their effects on working memory remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rhizophora mucronata leaf extract on working memory function in Sprague–Dawley rats.

Methods: This true experimental study employed a post-test only control group design. Twenty male Sprague–Dawley rats (150–200 g) were divided into four groups (n = 5): a negative control group and three treatment groups receiving different doses of Rhizophora mucronata leaf extract. The extract was obtained using a sonication method with 96% ethanol. Working memory was assessed using the Y-maze test. Data normality was evaluated using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences among groups were analyzed using One- Way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Tukey HSD test to determine intergroup differences. A p- value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The Y-maze test demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in the mean percentage of spontaneous alternation in the treatment groups compared to the control group. The mean alternation percentages were 20.00 ± 20.00 (control), 38.50 ± 16.42 (low dose), 62.43

± 4.18 (medium dose), and 63.40 ± 16.79 (high dose), respectively. One-Way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference among groups (p < 0.05). Post hoc Tukey HSD analysis showed that the medium-dose and high-dose groups had significantly higher spontaneous alternation percentages compared to the control group (p < 0.05), indicating a significant improvement in working memory performance.

Conclusion: Administration of Rhizophora mucronata leaf extract for 28 days significantly improved working memory function in Sprague–Dawley rats as assessed by the Y-maze test. Higher doses (800 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) were associated with significantly increased spontaneous alternation behavior, suggesting a dose-dependent neuroprotective