Cadmium compounds are considered toxic and can accumulate in the body as well as the environment. Cadmium has been shown to induce neurotoxicity and hepatocellular damage and adversely affects the biologic function of the liver. In the brain, Cd-induced neuronal damage occurs through amplifying the formation of ROS, which leads to oxidative stress and reducing the antioxidant defense mechanism, thus resulting in neurodegeneration and defects in memory. Natural products and their traditional uses can play an influential role in potential drug development at low cost by researchers. Role of herbs, spices and their constituents to maintain health and to cure diseases is a hot topic in food related research. Various herbs and spices have been shown to affect central nervous system, enhance learning, memory and intelligence. Nutmeg, an extremely high valued commodity not only because of its use as an exotic spice but also with growing evidence for many of its traditional uses as a natural remedy. In present study twenty-four animals were randomly divided into two equal groups control and cadmium treated rats. Animals of both groups were further divided into four groups (1) control-Water (2) nutmeg Extract (3) Cadmium treated rats-Water  (4) Cadmium Nutmeg extract (300mg/ml). Weekly Behavioral alteration was monitored. The current study revealed that administration of cadmium exhibited anxiogenic effect by in light and dark box activity. The present study also revealed that cadmium administration significantly impaired short -term and long -term memory in MWM and also impaired recognition memory in NOR.

Keywords: Cadmium, Oxidative stress, Cognitive behavior, Nutmeg, Behavioral assessments