Effects of Fructus Akebiae on learning and memory impairment in a scopolamine-induced animal model of dementia

Abstract

Fructus Akebiae (FAE) is a component of traditional Chinese medicines used for the clinical treatment of amnesia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of FAE extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment with FAE (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) was investigated in scopolamine-treated animals, and its effects on different types of memory were examined using the T-maze, the Morris water maze task, the novel object recognition test, the passive avoidance task and the step-down test. The results revealed that 5 and 10 mg/kg FAE attenuated scopolamine-mediated impairment of cognition, including spatial, episodic, aversive, and short- and long-term memory. Overall, these results suggest that FAE is an effective cognitive enhancer, and thus highlights the value of a multi-target strategy to address the complexity of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.

Neuroprotective effects of 20(S)‐protopanaxatriol (PPT) on scopolamine‐induced cognitive deficits in mice

“…The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in cognitive function, and dysfunction of the hippocampus is a distinguishing feature of AD (J. Wang et al, ). The impaired cognition induced by SCOP is primarily related to an increase in AChE activity, responsible for the hydrolysis of Ach, and the subsequent reduction of Ach level in the brain regions (Weinberger, Miasnikov, & Chen, ).…”

Analyzing Nootropic Effect of <i>Phyllanthus reticulatus</i> Poir. on Cognitive Functions, Brain Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity against Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Model in Rats: Applicable for Controlling the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…For the acquisition trial, each rat was positioned in the light compartment fronting the wall opposed to the sliding door. The sliding door was opened and when the rat entered into the dark compartment an electrical foot shock was provided for 3 sec after adaptation period of 15 sec [56]. The latency times, once the rat had entered the dark compartment was recorded as initial transfer latency (ITL) with the help of stopwatch.…”

Evaluation of Nootropic Activity of <i>Persicaria flaccida</i> on Cognitive Performance, Brain Antioxidant Markers and Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rats: Implication for the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The guillotine door was opened, after 15 sec accommodation period. When the rats entered the dark compartment, an electrical foot shock of 0.5 mA was administered for 3 sec [40]. The rat was returned back to the home cage from the apparatus 10 sec after shock termination.…”