• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.467-473
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the memory enhancing effect and underlying molecular mechanism of arabinoxylan (AX), a major component of dietary fiber in wheat against scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Diverse behavior tests including Y-maze, Morris water maze, and passive avoidance tests were performed to measure cognitive functions. SCO significantly decreased the spontaneous alterations in Y-maze test and step-through latency in passive avoidance test, whereas increased time spent to find the hidden platform in Morris water maze test compared with the sham control group. In contrast, oral administration of AX (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) effectively reversed the SCO-induced cognitive impairments in SD rats. Furthermore, AX treatment up-regulated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cortex and hippocampus via promoting activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Therefore, our findings suggest that AX can improve SCO-induced learning and memory impairment possibly through activation of CREB and up-regulation of BDNF levels, thereby exhibiting a cognition-enhancing potential.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2010

Black sesame (Sesami semen nigrum) has been used to treat dizziness, earnoise, constipation in the traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we assessed memory enhancing properties of 70% ethanolic extract of black sesame (EBS70) and its ameliorating activities on learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine. Drug-induced amnesia was made by scopolamine treatment (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Single EBS70 (200 mg/kg, p.o.) administration significantly enhanced cognitive function and attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments as determined by the passive avoidance and Y-maze tasks (P<0.05) and also reduced escape-latency on the Morris water maze task (P<0.05). In addition, EBS70 increased BDNF expression in hippocampus 4 h after its administration (P<0.05). These results suggest that EBS70 enhances learning and memory in normal state and attenuates amnesic state caused by cholinergic dysfunction.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.185-199
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• 2011

In the present study, we assessed the effect of the PPA (Polygala japonica Houtt., Polygala tenuifolia WILLD. and Acorus gramineus SOLAND. mixed preparation), a traditional herbal prescription, on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine. The cognition-enhancing effect of PPA was investigated using a passive avoidance test, Y-maze test and the Morris water maze test in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by treating animals with scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). A single PPA (400 and 800 (mg/kg)) administration significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test (P<0.05). On the Y-maze test, PPA (400 and 800 (mg/kg)) also significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice (P<0.05). PPA also improved escape latencies in training trials and increased swimming times and distances within the target zone of the Morris water maze (P<0.05). These results suggest that PPA attenuates amnesic state induced by scopolamine and that these Effect are mediated by enhancing the cholinergic dysfunction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of the Ethanolic extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum and its permented production the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine. Methods : The cognition-enhancing effect of Platycodon grandiflorum and its permented production were investigated using a passive avoidance test, the Morris water maze test and Y-maze test in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by treating animals with scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Results : The results showed that the Permented Platycodon grandiflorum extract-treated group (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and the tacrine-treated group (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia based on the Passive avoidance Y-maze test and Water maze test. And these results are same manner in DPPH radical scavenger effect and Acetylcholineseterase inhibition effect. Conclusions : These results suggest that 80% Ethanol extract of fermented P.grandiflorum 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.419-424
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• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate; the alpha-fetoprotein, urea and free fatty acid in amniotic fluids and water filled multiple T-maze test of fetuses affected by Ethylenethiourea. The S.P.F. Sprague-Dawley female rats(10 weeks) were used in this study and these animals were divided into four groups; control group I (10mg/kg/day), group II(30mg/kg/day), group III(50mg/kg/day). The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. In the water filled multiple T-maze test of F1 male rats, The time and errors from start point to goal point of 30mg/kg group are significantly(p<0.001) increased from control group in 3rd day of test. In F1 female rats of 2nd day and 3rd day of water filled multiple T-maze test, The time and some errors in 30mg/kg group are significantly (p<0.05) increased from control group. 2. Alpha-fetoprotein values of all treated groups(10mg/kg, 30mg/kg and 50mg/kg) were significantly(p<0.001) decreased from control values in the amniotic fluids. 3. Urea values of ammniotic fluids in 50mg/kg group are significantly increased from control group. 4. Free fatty acid values of ammniotic fluids in 50mg/kg group are significantly increased from control group.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.691-696
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• 2011

In order to the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA), the present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture inacupoint ST36 (Stomach 36) on trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced cognitive impairments rat using the Morris water maze (MWM) task and immunohistochemistry staining. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: naive rat (Normal), TMT injection rat (Control), TMT injection + EA treated rat inacupoint ST36 (ST36) and TMT injection + EA treated rat in non-acupoint, base of tail (Non-AC). Electroacupuncture (2Hz, 2mA, and 10 minutes)was applied either to the acupuncture point ST36 or the nonacupuncture point in the tail for the last 14 days. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 4d and then received 60s probe trial on the $5^{th}$ day following removal of platform from the pool. Rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 (P<0.05) produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform after $2^{nd}$ day and retention trial in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 also significantly increased expression of Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus compared to the Control group. These results demonstrated that EA in acupoint ST36 has a protective effect against TMT-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggests that EA in acupoint ST36 might be useful in the treatment of TMT-induced learning and memory deficit.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.479-487
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• 2013

This study is intended to examine the tDCS and Morris Water maze training in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats on Tau protein expression. Experiment groups were divided into four groups and assigned 16 rats to each group. Group I was a control group(AD induced by scopolamine); Group II was a experimental control group(AD injured by scopolamine and treatment tacrine); Group III was a group of tDCS application after AD injured by scopolamine; Group IV was a group of morris water maze training after AD injured by scopolamine. In cognition test, the outcome of group II was significantly lower than the groups(p<.001). and group III, IV were significantly low result at 14 days(p<.05). In histological finding, the experimental groups were destroy of micro vessels and finding of cell atropy and swelling. Group III, IV were decreased in degeneration of liver and kidney cells. In immuno- histochemistric response of BDNF and tau protein in hippocampus, BDNF expression of Group II was more increase than the other groups. and increase of BDNF expression was III, IV were higher than group I at 21 days. Tau protein expression of Group II was more decrease than the other groups. and decrease of Tau protein expression was III, IV were lower than group I at 21 days. These result suggest that improved tDCS and morris water maze training after scopolamine induced is associated with dynamically altered expression of BDNF and Tau protein in hippocampus and that is related with cognitive function.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.115-126
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• 1999

This study was conducted to find out the effects of Woohwangchungsimwon on learning and memory in the NOS inhibitor treated rats. The Morris water maze was used in evaluating them. The result of the study was summarized as follows. 1. In the learning test, three groups have showed a gradual improvement of learning ability by repeating the trials in Morris water maze. WHCS group have showed statistical improvement than control group at 4,5,6 trial(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01). 2. In the memory test, the first latency of WHCH group was statistically shortened than that of control group(p<0.05). 3. In the memory test, there was no statistical difference in the entry number between WHCH group and control. 4. In the memory test, there was no statistical difference in the memory score between WHCH group and control. The result of this experimental study presents that Woohwangchungsimwon has the improving effect on impaired learning and memory in NOS inhibitor treated rats, and implies that Woohwangchungsimwon may be one of the useful prescription for the treatment of vascular dementia after cerebral ischemia.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.324-328
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• 2013

Soy (Glycine max, family Leguminosae) contains isoflavones and saponins as main constituents. In our preliminary study, soybean ethanol extract (SE) ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice in the passive avoidance task. Therefore, to confirm its ameliorating effect for memory impairments, we measured its effect in scopolamine-induced memory-impaired mice in Morris water maze task. SE significantly prevented scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze task. SE also increased the swimming time within quadrant section of the platform on the day after the final training session test. SE protected the reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the hippocampi of scopolamine-treated mice. However, SE did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase. To understand the possible role of soysaponins in memory impairments, we prepared soyasaponins-rich (butanol) fraction of soybean (SRF) and investigated its protective effect against in the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. SRF ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. The memory impairment-ameliorating effect of SRF was more effective than that of SE. Based on these findings, soybean may improve memory impairment by regulating CREB phosphorylation and BDNF expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.345-352
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• 2010

The present study was undertaken to explore the potential of erythropoietin in memory deficits of mice. Memory impairment was produced by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, $i.p.$) and intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (i.c.v STZ, 3 mg/kg, $10{\mu}l$, $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ day) in separate groups of animals. Morris water-maze test was employed to assess learning and memory. The levels of brain thio-barbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated to assess degree of oxidative stress. Brain acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was also measured. Scopolamine/streptozotocin administration induced significant impairment of learning and memory in mice as indicated by marked decrease in Morris water-maze performance. Scopolamine/streptozotocin administration also produced a significant enhancement of brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress (an increase in TBARS and a decrease in GSH) levels. Treatment of erythropoietin (500 and 1,000 IU/Kg i.p.) significantly reversed scopolamine- as well as streptozotocin-induced learning and memory deficits along with attenuation of those-induced rise in brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress levels. It may be concluded that erythropoietin exerts a beneficial effect in memory deficits of mice possibly through its multiple actions including potential anti-oxidative effect.