In vitro antioxidant activities of proanthocyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpod and ameliorative effects on learning and memory impairment in scopolamine-induced amnesia mice

Abstract

The antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpods (LSPC) in vitro and ameliorative effects on memory impairment induced using scopolamine in mice were studied. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and cellular antioxidant activity assays revealed a potent LSPC antioxidant activity. Y-maze and step-down avoidance testing showed that LSPC administration at 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg ameliorated memory impairment. LSPC improved glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, inhibited activities of monoamine oxidase-B, total nitric oxide synthase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and acetylcholinesterase, and had no influence on inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide levels in the brain. LSPC ameliorated scopolamineinduced memory impairment based on improvement of the antioxidant system and cholinergic activity, which may be associated with potent antioxidant ability.