The Amygdalus spinosissima (Rosaceae) plant has been used in the Iranian folk medicine as a remedy for the burn wound. Hence, in this study, we aimed to determine the possible medicinal potential of the plant focusing on the root part. The bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the root extract of the Amygdalus spinosissima plant as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were determined. Moreover, the effects of root extract on learning and memory in mice were evaluated. The results revealed that the root methanolic extract contained phenolic and flavonoid compounds including apigenin, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, gallic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid. The extract possessed antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities in vitro. These biological activities were attributed to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. The A. spinosissima root extract improved learning and memory function in scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction in mice as determined using the Morris water maze task. The extract modulated the AChE, BChE, and inflammatory genes and enhanced the expression of the antioxidant enzymes in the brain. Consequently, A. spinosissima root extract could be considered as a promising source of potent bioactive compounds in the retarding the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Amygdalus spinosissima（蔷薇科）植物已在伊朗民间医学中用作烧伤的补救措施。因此，在本研究中，我们旨在确定植物可能的药用潜力，重点是根部。刺扁桃根提取物中的生物活性酚类和黄酮类化合物测定了植物及其抗氧化和抗炎特性。此外，还评估了根提取物对小鼠学习和记忆的影响。结果表明，根甲醇提取物含有酚类和黄酮类化合物，包括芹菜素、槲皮素、芦丁、山柰酚、没食子酸、丁香酸、阿魏酸和鞣花酸。该提取物在体外具有抗氧化、乙酰胆碱酯酶 (AChE) 和丁酰胆碱酯酶 (BChE) 抑制活性。这些生物活性归因于酚类和类黄酮的存在。A. spinosissima根提取物改善了东莨菪碱诱导的小鼠记忆功能障碍的学习和记忆功能，如使用莫里斯水迷宫任务所确定的。该提取物可调节 AChE、BChE 和炎症基因，并增强大脑中抗氧化酶的表达。因此，A. spinosissima根提取物可被认为是一种有前途的有效生物活性化合物来源，可延缓阿尔茨海默病等神经退行性疾病的发展。