BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline or dementia is a debilitating problem of 
neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, including 
special conditions like chemobrain. Dietary flavonoids proved to be efficacious 
in delaying the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Two such flavonoids, 
naringin (NAR) and rutin (RUT) were reported to have neuroprotective potential 
with beneficial effects on spatial and emotional memories in particular. 
However, the efficacy of these flavonoids is poorly understood on episodic 
memory, which comprises an important form of autobiographical memory.
OBJECTIVE: This study objective is to evaluate NAR and RUT to reverse 
time-delay-induced long-term and scopolamine-induced short-term episodic memory 
deficits in Wistar rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have evaluated both short-term and long-term episodic 
memory forms using novel object recognition task. Open field paradigm was used 
to assess locomotor activity for any confounding influence on memory assessment. 
Donepezil was used as positive control and was effective in both models at 1 
mg/kg, i.p.
RESULTS: Animals treated with NAR and RUT at 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o. spent 
significantly more time exploring novel object compared to familiar one, whereas 
control animals spent almost equal time with both objects in choice trial. NAR 
and RUT dose-dependently increased recognition and discriminative indices in 
time-induced long-term as well as scopolamine-induced short-term episodic memory 
deficit models without interfering with the locomotor activity.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that, NAR and RUT averted both short- and long-term 
episodic memory deficits in Wistar rats, which may be potential interventions 
for neurodegenerative diseases as well as chemobrain condition.
SUMMARY: Incidence of Alzheimer's disease is increasing globally and the current 
therapy is only symptomatic. Curative treatment is a major lacuna. NAR and RUT 
are natural flavonoids proven for their pleiotropic pharmacological effects with 
potential neuroprotective benefits. The study evaluated these flavonoids for 
their potential to improve the most common form of episodic memory (memory of 
autobiographical events in relation to time, places etc.) in two differential 
animal models assessing short-term and long-term memory, respectively. We also 
found that NAR and RUT were able to reverse both short-term and long-term memory 
deficits dose dependently in female Wistar rats. Abbreviations used: AD: 
Alzheimer's disease, AChE: Acetylcholinesterase, COX: Cyclooxygenase, DI: 
Discriminative index, ITI: Inter trial interval, NAR: Naringin, RUT: Rutin, 
NORT: Novel object recognition task, NOS: Nitric oxide synthase, QOL: Quality of 
life, RI: Recognition index, WFI: Water for injection.