The Seed Extract of Cassia obtusifolia Ameliorates Learning and Memory Impairments Induced by Scopolamine or Transient Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Mice

Abstract

Abstract. In the present study, we assessed the effect of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia (COE) on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine or transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). In a study of the cholinergic dysfunction induced by scopolamine, single COE (25, 50, or 100 mg / kg, p.o.) administration significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments as determined by the passive avoidance and Y-maze tasks (P<0.05) and also reduced escape-latency on the Morris water maze task (P<0.05). In the 2VO study, COE (50 mg / kg, p.o.) significantly reversed 2VO-induced cognitive impairments in mice by the passive avoidance and the Y-maze tasks (P<0.05). Moreover, COE (50 mg / kg, p.o.) also reduced escape-latency and prolonged swimming time in the target quadrant during a probe trial of the Morris water maze task (P<0.05). In an in vitro study, COE was found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC 50 value: 81.6 µg / ml). Furthermore, COE also inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in an ex vivo study. These results suggest that COE attenuates memory impairment induced by scopolamine or 2VO and that these effects are mediated by enhancing the cholinergic nervous system via acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Cholinergic deficiency involved in vascular dementia: possible mechanism and strategy of treatment

“…Cholinergic agents include ACh precursors, which increase the synthesis of ACh; nicotinic or M1 muscarinic agonists, which directly stimulate cholinergic receptors or allosterically modulate nAChR [41] ; and synaptic AChE inhibitors, which prevent the degradation of ACh. Recent preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that treatment with cholinergic agents has beneficial effects on dementia of vascular origin [42][43][44][45][46][47][48] .…”

“…Methanesulfonyl fluoride (MSF), a highly selective CNS inhibitor of AChE, has recently been demonstrated to promote improvement in cognitive performance in patients with AD [124] , and it was also shown to attenuate simple learning and memory deficits in the MCAO rat model [16] . The seed extract of Cassia obtusifolia (COE), which has been found to inhibit AChE activity both in vitro and ex vivo, attenuated memory impairment induced by scopolamine or BCCAO in the passive-avoidance, Y-maze, and Morris water-maze tests in ICR mice [47] . Another agent that could increase ChAT activity and inhibit AChE activity is Z-Ligustilide (LIG).…”

Differential Effects of Scopolamine on Memory Processes in the Object Recognition Test and the Morris Water Maze Test in Mice

“…The Morris water maze task was carried out as described elsewhere (Kim et al, 2007). On the following day, acquisition and retrieval session were conducted (Fig.…”

Commiphora Berryi Ameliorating Effect on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairments in Mice

“…In addition, a loss of forebrain cholinergic neurons, reduction in acetylcholine level in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in Alzheimer's Disease. A defect in cholinergic transmission led to the development of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer's Disease 4 .…”