*2.4.5 Assessment of learning and memory*

The Morris water maze developed by Morris [24] for assessing visuospatial learning and memory was used in this study. It was made of a circular polypropylene pool which was divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. It measured about 85 cm and 20 cm in diameter and

**177**

*The Effects of Consumption of* Capsicum *on Some Neurobehavioural Parameters*

provided to prevent animals from developing hypothermia.

depth respectively. The pool was filled to depth of 14 cm with water. The water was left to sit overnight in order to achieve room temperature (about 26 ± 2°C) and made opaque with the addition of milk to ensure camouflage of the escape platform. The platform was submerged to about 1 cm below the water surface. The pool was located in the laboratory with posters of diagrams hung on the walls to act as visual cues. During testing, the room was dimly lit with diffuse white light. The performance of the animals in the maze was recorded using a

Testing in the Morris water maze lasted for 8 days. The first 3 days were for acquisition training with an invisible platform. The next 3 days were for reversal training with the hidden platform in an opposite quadrant. On the seventh day, a probe trial was conducted with no escape platform. On day eight, 4 trials were conducted with a visible platform. Sixty (60) seconds were allocated for each mouse to locate the platform during each trial. Mice which were unable to locate the platform were guided to the position of the platform. The timer was stopped when the mice located the platform within the 60 s. The time it took the mice to locate the platform was recorded as swim latency. After each trial, mice were placed in cages with shredded paper towel beddings to make them dry easily and a heating lamp was also

The data derived from the tests were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc student's Neuma using the computer software SPSS 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2007 for windows vista (Brain Series, China). Data were presented as mean ± SEM (Standard error of the mean) and p value less than 0.05

**3.1 Effects of consumption pepper (***Capsicum annum***) and capsaicin on fear and** 

The open arm entry frequency of the pepper group was not significantly different compared to the control, whereas that of the capsaicin group was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to the control (**Figure 1a**). Both the pepper and capsaicin groups had significantly shorter (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively) open arm

There was no significant difference in the head dips frequency of the pepperdiet fed mice compared to the control (**Figure 1c**). However, that of the capsaicindiet fed mice was significantly higher compared to the control (p < 0.01). While the stretch attends posture of the pepper group was not significantly different compared to control, that of the capsaicin group was significantly higher compared

**3.2 Effects of consumption of chilli pepper (***Capsicum annum***) and capsaicin on** 

The foot slips of both the capsaicin and pepper groups were significantly lower compared to the control (p < 0.001) (**Figure 2A**). Also, the number of falls of both the capsaicin and pepper groups were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91744*

camcorder.

**2.5 Statistical analysis**

**3. Results**

was considered statistically significant.

**anxiety in the elevated plus maze**

durations compared to the control (**Figure 1b**).

to bot and pepper groups (p < 0.001) (**Figure 1d**).

respectively) compared to control (**Figure 2B**).

**motor coordination in the beam walking test**

#### *The Effects of Consumption of* Capsicum *on Some Neurobehavioural Parameters DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91744*

depth respectively. The pool was filled to depth of 14 cm with water. The water was left to sit overnight in order to achieve room temperature (about 26 ± 2°C) and made opaque with the addition of milk to ensure camouflage of the escape platform. The platform was submerged to about 1 cm below the water surface. The pool was located in the laboratory with posters of diagrams hung on the walls to act as visual cues. During testing, the room was dimly lit with diffuse white light. The performance of the animals in the maze was recorded using a camcorder.

Testing in the Morris water maze lasted for 8 days. The first 3 days were for acquisition training with an invisible platform. The next 3 days were for reversal training with the hidden platform in an opposite quadrant. On the seventh day, a probe trial was conducted with no escape platform. On day eight, 4 trials were conducted with a visible platform. Sixty (60) seconds were allocated for each mouse to locate the platform during each trial. Mice which were unable to locate the platform were guided to the position of the platform. The timer was stopped when the mice located the platform within the 60 s. The time it took the mice to locate the platform was recorded as swim latency. After each trial, mice were placed in cages with shredded paper towel beddings to make them dry easily and a heating lamp was also provided to prevent animals from developing hypothermia.

#### **2.5 Statistical analysis**

The data derived from the tests were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc student's Neuma using the computer software SPSS 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2007 for windows vista (Brain Series, China). Data were presented as mean ± SEM (Standard error of the mean) and p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
