*2.9. Morris Water Maze Test*

The behavioral analysis was done by the MWM (Morris Water Maze) and Y-maze test (*n* = 12 mice/group), as performed previously [30,31]. The apparatus used for the analysis was made of a circular tank (100 cm in diameter, 40 cm in height), containing water (23 ± 1 ◦C) to a depth of 15.5 cm. The water was made opaque by adding a non-toxic white color. A platform made of white plastic was kept 1 cm below the water surface, at one quadrant. For five consecutive days, the mice were trained consecutively. The latency to escape from the water (searching the hidden platform) was calculated for each trial. On the sixth day, the probe test was conducted for the evaluation of the memory effects. The probe test was conducted by removing the platform and allowing the mice to explore the tank freely for one hour. The time spent by the mice in the target quadrant and the number of crossings over the position of the platform were recorded. The time spent in the target quadrant was taken to

show the degree of memory changes. The data were recorded using video-tracking software (SMART Panlab, Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, MA, USA).
