Effect of Fructus arctii extract on learning and memory deficit in Alzheimer disease model of mice

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of Fructus arctii extract on Alzheimer disease (AD) model of mice and its mechanism. Methods Fifty healthy male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, respectively, the negative control group, AD model group, Oxiracetam Capsules (400 mg/kg) and Fructus arctii extract (FAE 800 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg). The AD model was intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose 100 mg/kg and aluminum trichloride 10 mg/kg by intragastric administration every day. Since the 15th day of AD model developed, the mice in experimental groups were intragastric administrated with the corresponding dosage each day for 45 days. Behavioral testing in exposed and control mice were developed using step-down assays and water maze test, and the chemical parameters SOD, T-AOC, MDA, [Ca2+], NO and NOS of brain tissue were measured. Differences among groups were compared by SPSS statistics software using ANOVA. Results Compared with model group, the latency period in step-down assays was statistically lengthened and the whole swimming time in water maze test was reduced in the FAE groups, and the rate of errors was decreased in step-down tests (F=11.07, P=0.004. F=8.13, P=0.011, F=6.25, P=0.02). The chemical parameter showed that the levels of MDA, NO, NOS and [Ca2+] in brain tissue were significantly decreased in the FAE group (F=5.12, P=0.04 F=4.49, P=0.05, F=4.55, P=0.05, F=4.62, P=0.05) and the activity of the SOD and T-AOC (F=6.49, P=0.02. F=4.76, P=0.05) increased greatly. Conclusions The FAE can protect the deficit of learning and memory of the AD model mice. The mechanisms of effects may be related to the improvement of enzymes, reduce the formation of free radical; resulting in prevention of peroxide generation and reduction of NO-related neurological damage. Key words: Fructus arctii; Alzheimer disease; Learning and memory; Model