Mulberry Fruit Extract Protects against Memory Impairment and Hippocampal Damage in Animal Model of Vascular Dementia

Pratchaya Kaewkaen,Terdthai Tong-Un,Wiroje Kaewrueng,Sathaporn Wongcharoenwanakit,Jintanaporn Wattanathorn,Supaporn Muchimapura

doi:10.1155/2012/263520

Abstract

Nowadays, the preventive strategy of vascular dementia, one of the challenge problems of elderly, has received attention due to the limitation of therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we aimed to determine the protective effect and possible mechanism of action of mulberry fruit extract on memory impairment and brain damage in animal model of vascular dementia. Male Wistar rats, weighing 300–350 g, were orally given mulberry extract at doses of 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg at a period of 7 days before and 21 days after the occlusion of right middle cerebral artery (Rt.MCAO). It was found that rats subjected to mulberry fruits plus Rt.MCAO showed the enhanced memory, the increased densities of neuron, cholinergic neuron, Bcl-2-immunopositive neuron together with the decreased oxidative stress in hippocampus. Taken all data together, the cognitive enhancing effect of mulberry fruit extract observed in this study might be partly associated with the increased cholinergic function and its neuroprotective effect in turn occurs partly via the decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, mulberry fruit is the potential natural cognitive enhancer and neuroprotectant. However, further researches are essential to elucidate the possible active ingredient.

Highlights

Vascular dementia has been recognized as the second most common dementia in elderly
Since apoptosis contributed the crucial role on brain damage in vascular dementia, we focused on the alteration of Bcl 2, the apoptosis regulator
The present study has revealed that mulberry fruit possessed higher contents of phytochemical compounds and exerted more potent antioxidant activity than blueberry fruit

Summary

Introduction

Vascular dementia has been recognized as the second most common dementia in elderly. It has been reported that the prevalence of vascular dementia in the elderly is approximate 1.2 to 4.2% and it accounts for 10 to 50% of dementia cases [1]. It occurs as a result of ischemic injury or oligaemia to brain areas involved in cognition, memory, and behavior leading to a progressive cognition decline, functional ability impairment, and behavioral problems [2]. There is no cure for vascular dementia available until now, the focus is currently on preventing further brain damage

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