Scopolamine-induced Amnesia Research Articles

EVALUATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AZILSARTAN AS MEMORY ENHANCER AGAINST SCOPOLAMINE AND SODIUM NITRITE-INDUCED AMNESIA IN SWISS ALBINO MALE RATS

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of azilsartan as a memory enhancer against scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats.
 Methods: Albino Swiss male rats in equal numbers per group (n=6) were taken. Scopolamine hydrobromide was administered to induce amnesia within the rats. Control group rats were administered normal, negative control groups were administered with scopolamine to induce amnesia and nitrite during trials, positive control group rats were administered piracetam+ scopolamine and piracetam nitrite during trials, and test control group rats were administered azilsartan +sodium nitrite and azilsartan nitrite. Exteroceptive behavioral models just like the elevated plus-maze model, Morris water maze model, acquisition trials, and retrieval trial were wont to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of azilsartan.
 Results: The scopolamine and azilsartan have a significantly decreasing effect on time spent within the target quadrant (TSTQ) but piracetam has an increasing effect. The effect of azilsartan on transfer latency time (TLT) was observed against scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats using the elevated plus-maze test. Piracetam was found to decrease the TLT and restore memory function at a better dose. Within the case of scopolamine treated rats, a big increase in TLT was noted. Azilsartan treated group also increased TLT within the elevated plus maze. It is noted that the scopolamine features a significantly increasing effect on escape latency time (ELT). Piracetam features a decreasing effect on ELT. A rise in ELT was seen because of azilsartan.
 Conclusion: This study suggested that the azilsartan features a significant decreasing effect on TSTQ, azilsartan treated group also increased TLT and ELT.

Neurocognitive effects of Prunus domestica fruit extract on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice

Neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease comprises cholinergic neuronal loss with an accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein and oxidative stress. Prunus domestica (Rosaceae) has been implicated to treat inflammation, anxiety, obesity, and neurological diseases. This study was designed to determine the antioxidant potential and neurocognitive effects of P. domestica fruit extract on scopolamine-induced amnesia. Mice were treated with 200 and 400 mg/ kg of ethanolic extract of P. domestica (EEPD) for 15 days and induced with amnesia by scopolamine (1 mg/kg). The total phenolic content and free radical scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging assay indicated the potential ability of the antioxidant system by EEPD. Behavioral and habituation memory was assessed using the Y-maze test, open-field test, and traction test, which revealed the potential impact on neurobehavioral improvement in scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The brain neurotransmitter metabolic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) indicated significant reduction and escalated memory performance after the treatment of EEPD. This implies that the EEPD exhibits a significant ameliorating (p < 0.05 in 200 and p < 0.01 in 400 mg/kg) effect in AChE inhibition on scopolamine-induced amnesia and is proven to have a beneficial effect on treating memory and learning impairment.

Maillard Reaction Products and Phenolic Compounds from Roasted Peanut Flour Extracts Prevent Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia Via Cholinergic Modulation and Antioxidative Effects in Mice.

Research on the beneficial effects of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and phenolic compounds derived from roasted peanut flour on the nervous system remains insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 28-day oral administration of defatted peanut extract rich in MPRs and polyphenolic compounds on the cognitive impairments and oxidative injury induced by scopolamine in a mouse model. Light and dark extracts from peanut flour were prepared by heating peanuts at 187°C for two different times (8.6 and 12.7 min) and defatted using soxhlet apparatus. The mice were orally pretreated with either roasted defatted peanuts extracts (100 mg/kg) or donepezil (3 mg/kg) for 21 days. On day 19 and until day 28, mice were injected subcutaneously with water or scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight) 15 min after roasted defatted peanuts extracts/water feeding. Mice were subsequently subjected to a battery of behavioral tests including open field locomotor activity assay, and Morris water maze test. Brain tissues were collected to measure acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, and oxidative parameters (glutathione and malondialdehyde). Roasted defatted peanuts (light and dark) (100 mg/kg) treatment significantly ameliorated cognitive performance and reversed the oxidative damage when compared with the scopolamine group. These data demonstrate the defatted peanuts extracts exert potent anti-amnesic effects via the modulation of cholinergic and antioxidant activities.

Rutin ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments through enhancement of antioxidant defense system and cholinergic signaling

Abstract Objectives The brain’s cholinergic system occupies a central role in normal cognition and age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study sought to investigate the role of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems on rutin-induced antiamnesia in mice. Methods Rutin (1, 5, or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (10 ml/kg, p.o.) was administered for three consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p) was given, 5 min post-scopolamine injection, open field, Y-maze, or Morris water maze (MWM) (five days consecutive training sessions) tasks was carried out. The mice were sacrificed on day 7 to assays for biomarkers of oxidative stress and cholinergic system. Results Scopolamine significantly reduced spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze and prolonged escape latency in MWM tasks when compared to vehicle-treated control indicative of working memory and spatial learning deficits. However, the pretreatment of mice with rutin (1, 5, or 50 mg/kg) prevented scopolamine-induced working memory and spatial learning impairments without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity. Scopolamine-induced nitrosative/oxidative stress and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of mice with rutin. Conclusions rutin restored cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesia through enhancement of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems.

Rutin ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments through enhancement of antioxidant defense system and cholinergic signaling.

Objectives The brain's cholinergic system occupies a central role in normal cognition and age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study sought to investigate the role of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems on rutin-induced antiamnesia in mice. Methods Rutin (1, 5, or 50mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (10ml/kg, p.o.) was administered for three consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3mg/kg, i.p) was given, 5min post-scopolamine injection, open field, Y-maze, or Morris water maze (MWM) (five days consecutive training sessions) tasks was carried out. The mice were sacrificed on day 7 to assays for biomarkers of oxidative stress and cholinergic system. Results Scopolamine significantly reduced spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze and prolonged escape latency in MWM tasks when compared to vehicle-treated control indicative of working memory and spatial learning deficits. However, the pretreatment of mice with rutin (1, 5, or 50mg/kg) prevented scopolamine-induced working memory and spatial learning impairments without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity. Scopolamine-induced nitrosative/oxidative stress and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of mice with rutin. Conclusions rutin restored cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesia through enhancement of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems.

Neuroprotective Activity of Polyphenol-Rich Ribes diacanthum Pall against Oxidative Stress in Glutamate-Stimulated HT-22 Cells and a Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia Animal Model

Ribes diacanthum Pall, a native Mongolian medicinal plant, has been reported to show antioxidant activities due to its polyphenol and flavonoid content, and is especially rich in the ethyl acetate fraction from an 80% methanol extraction (RDP). We assessed the cytoprotective effect of RDP on glutamate-caused oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22 cells). Cell viability was significantly recovered by RDP treatment. Also, RDP effectively decreased the glutamate-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In flow cytometric analysis, apoptotic cells and the mitochondrial membrane potential were suppressed by RDP. In the Western blotting analysis, we found that RDP not only decreased the release of apoptotic proteins but also recovered anti-apoptotic protein. Additionally, RDP enhanced the antioxidant defense system by regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, treatment with RDP activated the BDNF/TrkB pathway. In accordance with the in vitro results, RDP meliorated memory deficit by defending hippocampal neuronal cells against oxidative damage in scopolamine-injected mice. Taken together, our present study showed that RDP exerted antioxidant and neuroprotective actions against oxidative stress. Therefore, RDP might facilitate the development of candidates for functional health foods for neurodegenerative disorders.

Design, synthesis, and multitargeted profiling of N-benzylpyrrolidine derivatives for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Multitarget molecular hybrids of N-benzyl pyrrolidine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among the synthesized compounds, 4k and 4o showed balanced enzyme inhibitions against cholinesterases (AChE and BChE) and BACE-1. Both leads showed considerable PAS-AChE binding capability, excellent brain permeation, potential disassembly of Aβ aggregates, and neuroprotective activity against Aβ-induced stress. Compounds 4k and 4o also ameliorated cognitive dysfunction against the scopolamine-induced amnesia model in the Y-maze test. The ex vivo study signified attenuated brain AChE activity and antioxidant potential of compounds 4k and 4o. Furthermore, compound 4o also showed improvement in Aβ-induced cognitive dysfunction by the Morris water maze test with excellent oral absorption characteristics ascertained by the pharmacokinetic study. In silico molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies of leads suggested their consensual binding affinity toward PAS-AChE in addition to aspartate dyad of BACE-1.

Antiamnesic effect of aqueous lyophilisate of Drymaria cordata on scopolamine-induced amnesia and oxidative stress in mice

Antiamnesic effect of aqueous lyophilisate of Drymaria cordata on scopolamine-induced amnesia and oxidative stress in mice

Characterization and neuroprotective properties of alkaloid extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile in experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease

This study emphasized on the neuroprotective properties of bitter leaf alkaloid-rich extract (BLAE) using transgenic fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster [D. melanogaster]) model and scopolamine-induced amnesia rats. In vitro antioxidant properties and modulatory effects on key neuronal enzymes were carried out. Thereafter, fruit flies expressing human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) and BACE-1 genes were treated with BLAE for 7 d to determine survival rate, BACE-1, acetylthiocholine (AChE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase activities. Also, the aftermath of the BLAE on the neuronal activities of AChE, butyrylcholine (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), ATP diphosphohydrolase (ATPdase), and ADPdase, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), plus TBARS, and nitric oxide (NO) content in rats treated with scopolamine (1 mg/kg. bwt. i.p.) was evaluated. In addition, the alkaloid characterization for constituent BLAE was determined. The outcomes proved that BLAE displayed antioxidant properties and inhibit activities of AChE, BChE, MAO, ACE, ATPdase, and ADPdase in vitro. Furthermore, transgenic flies treated with the BLAE exhibited significant levels of amelioration on survival rate and activities of BACE-1, AChE, GST, and catalase. In scopolamine-treated rats, AChE, BChE, MAO and NTPdases activities, and antioxidant status were upturned in rats pretreated with BLAE. This study disclosed the neuroprotective property of BLAE, which could be related to its alkaloid constituent, thereby making it a good candidate to explore as curative nutraceutical agent for cognitive impairments and affiliated diseases such as AD.

A meta-analysis of gene expression data highlights synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus of brains with Alzheimer\u2019s disease

Since the world population is ageing, dementia is going to be a growing concern. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is extensively studied, yet unknown remains. Therefore, we aimed to extract new knowledge from existing data. We analysed about 2700 upregulated genes and 2200 downregulated genes from three studies on the CA1 of the hippocampus of brains with Alzheimer’s disease. We found that only the calcium signalling pathway enriched by 48 downregulated genes was consistent between all three studies. We predicted miR-129 to target nine out of 48 genes. Then, we validated miR-129 to regulate six out of nine genes in HEK cells. We noticed that four out of six genes play a role in synaptic plasticity. Finally, we confirmed the upregulation of miR-129 in the hippocampus of brains of rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia as a model of Alzheimer’s disease. We suggest that future research should investigate the possible role of miR-129 in synaptic plasticity and Alzheimer’s disease. This paper presents a novel framework to gain insight into potential biomarkers and targets for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

HPTLC Analysis with the Effect ofBacopa monnieri, Evolvulus alsinoidesandTinospora cordifoliaagainst Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Rats

Background and Objective:Bacopa monnieri, Evolvulus alsinoides, and Tinospora cordifolia are well known herbal Ayurvedic medicinal plants with a memory enhancing property. The aim of this study was HPTLC analysis for evaluating the effect of ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (BME), Evolvulus alsinoides (EAE) and Tinospora cordifolia (TCE) alone and in combination of equal proportion (CEPs) against scopolamine-induced amnesic rats.Methods:HPTLC analysis was done to evaluate the presence of phytoconstituents in these plants. Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests were also used to evaluate the effect on memory function. All pretreatment with BME, EAE, TCE, and CEPs was done at 200 mg/kg. The observation was done on the basis of the effect on mean latency time (in seconds) in the Morris water maze test and latency to reach shock free zone (SFZ), mistakes in 15 minutes on the Passive-avoidance test.Results:It was observed that after HPTLC analysis, Bacoside A (Rf value; 0.82) found in BME, flavonoid glycoside (Rf value; 0.31) found in EAE and unknown compounds (Rf value; 0.11, 0.39) observed in TCE. BME, EAE, TCE and their combinations of equal proportion [CEP-1 (BME+EAE), CEP-2 (BME+TCE), CEP-3 (EAE+TCE) and CEP-4 (BME+EAE+TCE)] produced significant effects against scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats.Conclusion:These findings suggested that the content of extracts of these compounds has an antioxidant property in the brain. Also, BME, EAE, and TCE in the CEPs provide a synergistic effect on behavioral assessment.

Fat-1 expression enhance hippocampal memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are critical for optimal brain health and are involved in psychiatric and neurological ailments. Here, we report the effects of higher endogenous omega-3 PUFA on memory impairment in the hippocampus by studying mice with transgenic expression of the fat-1 gene that converts omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA. We performed Y-maze and passive avoidance tests to evaluate the memory function of fat-1 mice treated with scopolamine. Fat-1 mice showed induced alternation in the Y-maze test and increased latency in the passive avoidance test. The effects of scopolamine on hippocampal neurogenesis were confirmed by increases in the number of Ki-67- and DCX-positive cells in the fat-1 mice. Western blotting revealed increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein levels, and lower scopolamine-induced apoptosis based on the cleaved-caspase 3 protein level in fat-1 mice. These findings suggest that higher endogenous omega-3 PUFA prevented granular cell loss, increased BDNF signaling, and decreased apoptosis signaling in scopolamine-treated fat-1 mice. These processes may underlie granular cell survival and suggest potential therapeutic targets for memory impairment.

D-ribose-L-cysteine enhances memory task, attenuates oxidative stress and acetyl-cholinesterase activity in scopolamine amnesic mice.

d-Ribose-l-cysteine (DRLC) is an analogue of cysteine that has been shown to boost cellular antioxidant capacity by enhancing intracellular biosynthesis of glutathione (GSH). Deficiency of GSH has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of memory. Thus, the use of antioxidants to prevent or retard the progression of memory deteriorations in persons with AD has been the focus of intense investigations. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of DRLC on memory and scopolamine-induced amnesia, acetyl-cholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress in mice. Male Swiss mice were given oral administration of saline (10 ml/kg), DRLC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or donepezil (1 mg/kg) 30 min before testing for memory performance using Y-maze and object recognition models. Another set of mice were also pretreated orally with saline, DRLC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or donepezil (1 mg/kg) but in combination with scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 7 days. Thirty minutes after treatment on Day 7, memory function was then evaluated. The brain levels of acetyl-cholinesterase and oxidative stress parameters were assayed. DRLC significantly (p < .05) enhanced memory performance and attenuated scopolamine-induced amnesia. Increased acetyl-cholinesterase activity and oxidative stress, as shown by decreased antioxidant substrates (glutathione and catalase) and elevated malondialdehyde contents in mice with scopolamine amnesia were also attenuated by DRLC. Our findings suggest that inhibition of oxidative stress and acetyl-cholinesterase activity might contribute to the potential benefit of DRLC in persons with amnesia.

Cognitive Facilitation and Antioxidant Effects of an Essential Oil Mix on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Rats: Molecular Modeling of In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches.

The present study investigated the capability of an essential oil mix (MO: 1% and 3%) in ameliorating amnesia and brain oxidative stress in a rat model of scopolamine (Sco) and tried to explore the underlying mechanism. The MO was administered by inhalation to rats once daily for 21 days, while Sco (0.7 mg/kg) treatment was delivered 30 min before behavioral tests. Donepezil (DP: 5 mg/kg) was used as a positive reference drug. The cognitive-enhancing effects of the MO in the Sco rat model were assessed in the Y-maze, radial arm maze (RAM), and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. As identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), the chemical composition of the MO is comprised by limonene (91.11%), followed by γ-terpinene (2.02%), β-myrcene (1.92%), β-pinene (1.76%), α-pinene (1.01%), sabinene (0.67%), linalool (0.55%), cymene (0.53%), and valencene (0.43%). Molecular interactions of limonene as the major compound in MO with the active site of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was explored via molecular docking experiments, and Van der Waals (vdW) contacts were observed between limonene and the active site residues SER198, HIS438, LEU286, VAL288, and PHE329. The brain oxidative status and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BChE inhibitory activities were also determined. MO reversed Sco-induced memory deficits and brain oxidative stress, along with cholinesterase inhibitory effects, which is an important mechanism in the anti-amnesia effect. Our present findings suggest that MO ameliorated memory impairment induced by Sco via restoration of the cholinergic system activity and brain antioxidant status.

Mature silkworm powders ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia by enhancing mitochondrial functions in the brains of mice

Abstract The main goal of this study was to elucidate the neuron proliferation and cognition improvement effects of steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm powders (SMSP). Concentrates of 80% methanol extracts from golden silk-SMSP (GS-SMSP) contained 3.6–4.9 times more phytochemicals and 1.8–3.1 times more antioxidant activities and showed significantly higher mouse hippocampal HT22 neuronal cell proliferation effects than those of white jade (WJ)-SMSP. In addition, GS-SMSP was more effective in suppressing scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia in the mice than WJ-SMSP. Furthermore, the suppression of SCO-induced amnesia by GS-SMSP in the mice was dose-dependent. The significantly reduced mitochondrial respiratory complex (MitoCom) activities and ATP amounts in the brains of SCO-injected mice were recovered in the mice supplemented with GS-SMSP. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that enhanced mitochondrial function in the brains of mice supplemented with GS-SMSP was the molecular basis of suppression of SCO-induced amnesia in a rodent model.

Antiamnesic effects of tofisopam against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in rats

In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effects of tofisopam, a 2,3-benzodiazepine derivative anxiolytic, on cognitive deficits in rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia. Cognitive performance of the rats was investigated by using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Changes in motor activity were assessed by using the activity cage and Rota-rod tests and then morphological changes in the hippocampus were assessed via immunohistochemical stainings. The results indicated that scopolamine impaired learning and memory parameters in rats. Worsened cognitive performance, neuronal loss, and decreased hippocampal synaptophysin, Ki-67, and glial fibrillary acidic protein density were observed. Tofisopam administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg for seven days improved the impaired cognitive performance, enhanced the attenuated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, increased proliferation in subgranular zones, and improved the decrease in astrocytes in amnesic rats. These findings point out the anti-amnesic effects of tofisopam with concomitant improvements in the hippocampal synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and glial plasticity, for the first time. Presented beneficial effects of tofisopam on cognitive dysfunctions may have a notable clinical value considering the fact that one of the most important side effects of 1,4-benzodiazepines, which are classical anxiolytic drugs, is amnesia. However, these preclinical results need to be confirmed with further clinical studies, first.

Sub-chronic oral cinnamaldehyde treatment prevents scopolamine-induced memory retrieval deficit and hippocampal Akt and MAPK dysregulation in male mice

ABSTRACTObjectives: Cholinergic system dysfunction was found to play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Therefore, the animal model of scopolamine-induced amnesia has been widely used in AD researches. Cinnamon, as a spice commonly used in cuisine, has been shown to exert some therapeutic effects. The most abundant compound in cinnamon is cinnamaldehyde which recently was shown to exert several neuroprotective effects in animal models. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether cinnamaldehyde has the potency to prevent memory retrieval impairment and hippocampal protein kinase B (Akt) and MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) alterations induced by scopolamine in mice.Methods: Adult male mice were pretreated with cinnamaldehyde (12.5, 25, 40 and 100 mg/kg/oral gavage) 10 days before training. The training of passive avoidance task was performed on the 10th day and a memory retention test was done 24 h later. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, 30 min before the retention test to induce memory retrieval deficit. At the complement of the behavioral experiments, the hippocampi were isolated for western blot analysis to assess the phosphorylated and total levels of hippocampal MAPK and Akt proteins.Results: The results showed that cinnamaldehyde pretreatment at the dose of 100 mg/kg significantly prevented the amnesic effect of scopolamine. Furthermore, cinnamaldehyde prevented scopolamine induced dysregulations of hippocampal MAPK and Akt.Discussion: The results of the present study revealed that oral sub-chronic cinnamaldehyde administration has the capability to prevent memory retrieval deficit induced by cholinergic blockade and restores hippocampal MAPK and Akt dysregulations.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and neuroprotection in vitro, molecular docking, and improved learning and memory functions of demethylcurcumin in scopolamine-induced amnesia ICR mice.

In this study, demethylcurcumin (DC), a minor constituent in curcuminoids, showed better anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activities, anti-amyloid β peptide aggregation, neuroprotective activities in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated SH-SY5Y cell models, and anti-nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages than those of curcumin. Based on molecular docking analyses with AChE, the meta-hydroxyl group in DC, nonexistent in curcumin, showed the formation of hydrogen bonds with Ser293 and Tyr341 in the binding sites of AChE. For animal experiments, scopolamine-induced amnesia ICR mice were used to analyze the learning and memory functions of DC in comparison with the positive control donepezil. Mice fed with DC (50 mg kg-1) or donepezil (5 mg kg-1) showed improvement and a significant difference compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05, 0.01, or 0.001) in a passive avoidance test and in a water maze probe test. The brain extracts of the mice in the DC or donepezil group showed reduced AChE activities and higher ORAC activities and also showed a significant difference compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05, 0.01, or 0.001). DC might be beneficial for developing functional foods or as a lead compound for the treatment of degenerative disorders.

Mulberry fruit improves memory in scopolamine-treated mice: role of cholinergic function, antioxidant system, and TrkB/Akt signaling

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although mulberry fruit possesses some biological activities, it is not known how it protects neuronal cells in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we examined whether mulberry fruit extract (MFE) protected neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. Methods: In this experiments, glutamate challenged hippocampal neuronal HT-22 cell lines as an in vitro model and scopolamine-induced memoty-impairment mice model were used. Results: MFE improved cell viability and glutathione level as well as reducing reactive oxygen species level in glutamate-treated HT-22 cells. Additionally, MFE suppressed apoptotic bodies and mitochondrial depolarization through regulating expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, MFE elevated expression of p-TrkB, p-Akt, p-CREB, BDNF, and antioxidant enzymes as well as nuclear translocation of Nrf2. In contrast, the inclusion of K252a, a TrkB inhibitor, or MK-2206, an Akt selective inhibitor, neutralized the neuroprotective actions of MFE. Separately, MFE attenuated scopolamine-induced amnesia via regulating the activities of enzymes related with cholinergic function and the antioxidant system in mice. Additionally, MFE protected neuronal cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions in brain of mice. Conclusions: MFE protects neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through upregulating the expression of BDNF and antioxidant enzymes by stabilizing the activation of the TrkB/Akt pathway. Such an effect of MFE, which includes rich polyphenols, may provide information for its application as a food supplement for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Cortico-Hippocampal Memory Enhancing Activity of Hesperetin on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Mice: Role of Antioxidant Defense Systems, Cholinergic Neurotransmission and Expression of BDNF

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age related neurodegenerative disease causing severe cognitive and memory decline in elderly people. Flavonoids play neuroprotective role by inhibiting and/or modifying the self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) or tau peptide into oligomers and fibrils. This study sought to investigate the effect of hesperetin (HPT) on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. Mice were orally pretreated with HPT (1, 5 or 50 mg/kg) or vehicle (normal saline; 10 ml/kg) for 3 consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 5 min before locomotor activity (open field test) and memory function (novel object recognition test (NORT) for 2 consecutive days and Morris water maze task (MWM) for 5 consecutive days). Levels of oxidative stress markers / brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase activity were determined in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after completion of MWM task. Scopolamine caused no significant change in mice exploration of the familiar or novel object in the test session whereas the HPT-treated mice spent more time exploring the novel object more than familiar object in NORT. Scopolamine also increased the escape latency in acquisition phase and decreases time spent in target quadrant in probe phase which were ameliorated by the pretreatment with HPT. Scopolamine-induced alteration of oxidant-antioxidant balance, acetylcholinesterase activity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were attenuated by HPT treatment. This study showed that HPT ameliorated non-spatial/spatial learning and memory impairment by scopolamine possibly through enhancement of antioxidant defense, cholinergic and BDNF signaling.