• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.475-483
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• 2016

The current study was conducted to evaluate beneficial effects of a new formula (CWC-9) using four traditional Oriental medicinal herbs, Cynanchum wilfordii, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus gramineus, on hippocampal cells and memory function. To examine the neuroprotective effects of a new four-herb extract, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were performed in HT22 cells and behavioral tests (Morris water maze and passive avoidance retention), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In HT22 hippocampal cells, pretreatment with CWC-9 resulted in significantly reduced glutamate-induced cell death with suppression of ROS accumulation caused by glutamate. In a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia, we observed significant improvement of spatial and short-term memory function by treatment with CWC-9. Phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in hippocampus of ischemic mice were decreased by treatment with CWC-9, but phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were significantly enhanced. By immunohistochemical analysis, we confirmed higher expression of phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampal neurons of CWC-9 treated mice. These results suggest that new multi-herb formula CWC-9 mainly exerted beneficial effects on cognitive function through regulation of neuro-protective signaling pathways associated with CREB.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1691-1694
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• 2010

In the present study, we assessed whether the extracts of Codonopsis lanceolata and fermented C. lanceolata posses the cognition-enhancing effect in rats with impaired learning and memory by scopolamine treatment (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor. The fermented C. lanceolata extract (333, 667 mg/kg) significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test (p<0.05). Moreover, fermented C. lanceolata extract (333 mg/kg) also improved escape latencies in training trials of Morris water maze test (p<0.05). The water extract of fermented C. lanceolata showed significant anti-amnestic and cognitive-enhancing activities related to the memory processes, and these activities were parallel to treatment duration and dependent of the learning models.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-amnesic effects of AR, Aucklandiae Radix, ground powder on scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment in mice (C57BL/6) through its favorable acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression, and antioxidant effect. Methods: Six groups, a total of 20 intact or 100 Sco treated mice, were selected based on their body weights and were used in this study. Half of the mice in each group were used for the passive avoidance task test and the measurements of hippocampus ACh content, AChE activity and ChAT mRNA expression. The remaining half of the mice in each group were used for the Morris water maze test and cerebral antioxidant defense system measurement. Results: Marked decreases in step-through latency times in the passive avoidance task test and increases in escape latency times in the Morris water maze test were observed with decreases in the hippocampus ACh content and ChAT mRNA expression, and increases in the hippocampal AChE activities, as a result of Sco intraperitoneal treatment, in the present study. In addition, destruction of the cerebral cortex antioxidant defense systems was observed in Sco control mice as compared with intact vehicle control mice. However, 28 days of continuous oral pre-treatment with AR ground powder at doses of 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg markedly and dose-dependently inhibited the Sco treatment-related amnesia. Conclusions: The results prove that oral administration of AR ground powder reduces Sco-induced memory impairment. This is because it can preserve ACh, related to ChAT mRNA expression, cause AChE inhibition, and activate the cerebral antioxidant defense system.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.221-235
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the anti-amnesic effects of Bunsimgieum (BSGE) through its favorable acetylcholine (ACh) and, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expressions, and antioxidant effect on scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Six groups, a total of 20 intact or 100 Sco-induced mice were used in this study, based on their body weight. Half of each group underwent passive avoidance tests and the measurement of hippocampus AChE activity, ACh content, and ChAT mRNA expression, The remaining half of each group underwent a Morris water-maze test and antioxidant defense system measurement as well. Results: Significant reductions in the step-through latency times from the passive avoidance test and reductions in the escape latency times from the Morris water-maze test were observed with increases of hippocampal AChE activities and, reductions in ACh contents and ChAT mRNA expression in hippocampus, as a result of Sco intraperitoneal treatment, in this study. Additionally, the increases in cerebral cortical MDA levels and, reductions in GSH contents, SOD activities, and CAT activities were demonstrated in the Sco control mice compared with the intact vehicle control mice, respectively. However, 28 days of consecutive oral pre-treatment of BSGE hot water extracts of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg, respectively, markedly and dose-dependently inhibited Sco treatment-related amnesia. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the oral administration of BSGE hot water extracts reduces Sco-induced memory impairment, through preserving ACh, related to ChAT mRNA expressions, causes AChE inhibition, and enhances the cerebral antioxidant defense system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activity, the protective effect of the extract on SH-SY5Y cell death by $H_2O_2$, the memory improvement from scopolamine-induced rat. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of isorhamnetin from the dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) was investigated. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activity was highest (28.59%) in Hwasun O. javanica extract (H-OJE). H-OJE and Naju O. javanica extract (N-OJE) were not significantly different. SH-SY5Y cell death deceased to 37.23% and 36.68% for H-OJE and N-OJE, respectively, following treatment with the extracts. O. javanica extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity. Treatment with O. javanica extracts slightly improved scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg, i.p.) memory impairment in rats. H-OJE contained the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 117 mg/g and 30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, respectively, and had a DPPH radical scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) of $113.8{\mu}g/mL$ and ABTS radical scavenging activity of $48.2{\mu}g/mL$, which was higher than the other extracts. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value was highest (50.2%) in H-OJE. Antioxidant activity differed significantly among dropwort extracts. Isorhamnetin was known as one of the flavonoid and for having neuroprotective effect. So we analyzed acid-hydrolyzed O. javanica extract HPLC. The results were that peak at 14 min and spectrum of the extracts was consistent with standard solution. The results of LC/MS/MS analysis were that the extract and standard solution were confirmed total ion chromatogram at identical time, precursor ion was 317 $[M-H]^+$ m/z, product ion was 302 $[M-H]^+$ m/z. Overall, the results showed that the dropwort extract led to memory improvement and had antioxidant activity. Based on these finding, further research to investigate the production of ethanol extract of dropwort as a processed food is warranted.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.564-569
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• 2019

Heavy drinking disrupts the nervous system by activation of GABA receptors and inhibition of glutamate receptors, thereby preventing short-term memory formation. Degradation of cognition by alcohol induces blackouts, and it can lead to alcoholic dementia if repeated. Therefore, drugs need to be developed to prevent alcohol-induced blackout. In this study, we confirmed the effect of an ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds (COE) on alcohol-induced memory impairment. The effects of COE and ethanol on cognitive functions mice were examined using the passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. The manner in which alcohol affects long-term potentiation (LTP) in relation to the learning and memory was confirmed by electrophysiology performed on mouse hippocampal slices. We also measured N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated field excitatory synapses (fEPSPs), which have a known association with cognitive impairment caused by ethanol. Ethanol caused memory impairments in passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. COE prevented these ethanol-induced memory impairments in these tests. Ethanol also blocked LTP induction in the mouse hippocampus, and COE prevented this ethanol-induced LTP deficit. Ethanol decreased NMDA receptor-mediated fEPSPs in the mouse hippocampus, and this decrease was prevented by COE. These results suggest that COE might be useful in preventing alcohol-induced neurological dysfunctions, including blackouts.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.10-15
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• 2011

The separation actuator for the small satellite should fix satellite appendages with high clamping force. After operation, it has to be separated from the satellite body without any damage on satellite system and release the appendages such as a solar panel and an antenna successfully. Therefore, we invent a non-explosive separation actuator for the small satellite which generates low shock and is resettable. In order to confirm performance of the proposed separation actuator, we carried out experiments for separation time, maximum preload for activation, and shock level.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.428-433
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• 2012

Probiotics and their products, such as yogurt and cheese have been widely consumed in many countries with proven health benefits including anti-microbial activity and anti-diarrheal activity. LHFM (Lactobacillus helveticus - fermented milk) is a processed skim milk powder, fermented by a probiotics, L. helveticus IDCC3801. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and the cognitive improvements of LHFM. LHFM itself did not show any cytotoxicity to the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y; however, it dose-dependently protected against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death. LHFM also attenuated scopolamine-induced memory deficit in Y-maze and Morris-water maze. In the analysis of hippocampus after a behavior test, LHFM significantly increased the acetylcholine level and also inhibited acetylcholine esterase activity. Therefore, the raised acetylcholine release partially contributes to the improvement of learning and memory by a treatment with LHFM. These results suggest that LHFM is an effective material for prevention or improvement of cognitive impairments caused by neuronal cell damage and central cholinergic dysfunction.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.7-22
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of virtual reality interventions (VRIs) on cognitive function in individuals with stroke through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Methods : We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) the last 10 years using academic databases. PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were used for international studies, and DBpia, KISS, Kyoboscholar, and e-article were used for Korean studies. For the quantitative meta-analysis, subgroups of outcomes were classified into general cognitive function (G-CF), attention and memory (A&M), and executive function (EF). Results : Nine RCTs were analyzed. The total number of participants was 271 (140 in the experimental group). The effect size (Cohen's d) was estimated using a random effects model. The effect sizes of the outcome subgroups of were as follows: small to medium for G-CF (d=0.422; 95% CI: 0.101~0.742; p=0.010), small for A&M (d=0.249; 95% CI: -0.107~0.605; p=0.170), and medium for EF (d=0.666; 95% CI: 0.136~1.195; p=0.014). Conclusion : Considering the various stimuli provided by the virtual environment and the results from available research, virtual reality should be applied to interventions for integrated cognitive functions. In addition, it would be appropriate to be used as an additional intervention to traditional cognitive rehabilitation for stroke.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.103-121
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• 2018

For knowing the effects of aging on conversational skills in daily communication, this paper studied for the conversational turn-taking skills, working memory and naming ability on healthy elderly adults over 65 ages. 85 elderly adults participated in this study, which divided into four groups by ages. Speech samples were collected in natural conversation. Memorization of numbers, mental calculation, repetition of words were administered for working memory test. K-BNT was used for the naming ability. One-way ANOVA analysis was used for the comparison of conversational turn-taking skills among four groups. We analyzed the correlation between conversational skills, working memory and naming ability. The results were as follows: first, there were a significant difference in conversational turn-taking skills by age, but not by gender. There was a significant difference in 'Turn-Taking Frequency' and 'Total Utterance Frequency' among four groups. The same results were shown in the scores of females within three groups(exclude groups over 85D)(p<.01). Second, there was a significant correlation between 'rates of maintenance' and 'naming ability'. In addition, it was found that the naming test predicted 'rates of maintenance' skills. The results of this study suggest that word-retrieval ability will be helpful to enhance functional communication skills in aging old adults.