Effects of Kamikihi-To, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on Passive and Conditioned Avoidance Performance Impairment in Senescence Accelerated Mouse (SAM)

Abstract

Abstract-Effectsof Kamikihi-To (KMK), a traditional Chinese medicine (Chinese name: Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang), on learning performance impairment caused by aging were evaluated in senescence accelerated mice (SAM). Normal diet con taining 8% KMK extract was given to SAM-P/8, a senile-prone strain, and to SAM R/1, a resistant strain, from 2 months old. Effects of KMK on learning performance were evaluated in 5 and 10 month old SAM using step through and step down type passive avoidance tests and shuttle box and lever press type conditioned avoidance tests.At 5 months old, KMK increased the retention rate in the step through test and decreased the number of errors in the step down test in SAM P/8, though KMK had no effects in conditioned avoidance tests. KMK had no effects in any tests in SAM-R/1.At 10 months old, the decrease of the number of errors in the step down test and increase of the rate of the conditioned avoidance response in the shuttle box test were observed in SAM-P/8 treated with KMK. These results suggest that chronic administration of KMK can improve learning performance in the senescence model.

Effects of Kamikihito, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on Neurotransmitter Receptor Binding in the Aged Rat Brain Determined by In Vitro Autoradiography (2): Changes in GABAA and Benzodiazepine Receptor Binding

“…In addition to exerting an anxiolytic effect, it has been reported that KKT improved the cognitive ability of alco holic patients (1). Furthermore, it has been shown that KKT improves learning performance in the senescent ac celerated mouse (2). These findings suggest that KKT may ameliorate anxiety, as well as memory impairment, in the elderly.…”

Protective Effects of Kamikihi-To, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, against Cerebral Ischemia, Hypoxia and Anoxia in Mice and Gerbils

“…In a pre vious study, we showed that KMK ameliorated both ethanol-induced and electroconvulsion-induced memory impairment in mice (1). KMK also antagonized memory deficits in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM), which is characterized by age-related deficits in learning performance (2). Egashira et al (3) have reported that KMK activated some cholinergic biochemical markers in the brains of aged rats.…”

Extract of Yi Zhi Fang improves learning and memory behaviours of mice and its possible mechanisms

“…Some papers have reported favourable results in animals with cognitive impairments using extracts of a single herbal drug or traditional prescriptions (Petkov et al, 1993;Amagaya et al, 1990;Nishizawa et al, 1990;Nishiyama et al, 1994;Xie et al, 1996). It may be possible to find an effective treatment in the field of ancient traditional Chinese medicine system for combatting these kinds of cognitive diseases.…”