Biflorin Ameliorates Memory Impairments Induced by Cholinergic Blockade in Mice

Abstract

To examine the effect of biflorin, a component of Syzygium aromaticum, on memory deficit, we introduced a scopolamine-induced cognitive deficit mouse model. A single administration of biflorin increased latency time in the passive avoidance task, ameliorated alternation behavior in the Y-maze, and increased exploration time in the Morris water maze task, indicating the improvement of cognitive behaviors against cholinergic dysfunction. The biflorin-induced reverse of latency in the scopolamine-treated group was attenuated by MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist. Biflorin also enhanced cognitive function in a naïve mouse model. To understand the mechanism of biflorin for memory amelioration, we performed Western blot. Biflorin increased the activation of protein kinase C-ζ and its downstream signaling molecules in the hippocampus. These results suggest that biflorin ameliorates drug-induced memory impairment by modulation of protein kinase C-ζ signaling in mice, implying that biflorin could function as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of cognitive problems.

SKF83959 Has Protective Effects in the Scopolamine Model of Dementia

“…[15][16][17] The training trial was performed 24 h before the test trial. The equipment has two identical chambers with one illuminated and the other non-illuminated.…”

“…[15][16][17] The test mice were individually placed at the end of one arm, and the test period was 8 min. During the period, the sequence and number of arm entries for each mouse was recorded.…”

“…For each test period, the arms were thoroughly cleaned. The alternation score (%) for each mouse was defined as described in previous reports [15][16][17] : % Alternation=[(Number of alternations)/(Total arm entries−2)] ×100.…”

“…[15][16][17] A circular pool divided into four equal quadrants was used. The diameter and height of this pool were 90 and 45 cm, respectively.…”

“…Western Blotting Analysis As described in previous reports, [15][16][17] briefly, the hippocampal tissues of mice used for Morris water maze were rapidly dissected and homogenized in lysis buffer (Beyotime Biotechnology, China). The homogenates were centrifuged, and the supernatants were collected.…”