Objective: To investigate the effects of Compound Yi-Zhi (CYZ) on learning and memory disorder and beta-amyloid protein induced neurotoxicity.
Methods: Various doses of CYZ were administered to SD rats for 8 days, twice a day. Then scopolamine hydrobrominde intraperitoneal injection was performed on each rat, and the MORRIS water maze test and step-though test were carried out respectively to explore the changes of the rats' learning and memory capacities. Primary rat cortex neurons were cultured in vitro for 7 days, and then serum containing CYZ was added to neurons before or after the addition of beta Amyloid peptide25-35 (A beta 25-35) to observe CYZ's protectiveness on neurotoxicity. MTT assay and test of level of LDH in the culture media were performed to achieve this aim.
Results: Compared with control group, in MORRIS water maze test time of finding the platform under the water surface decreased, and in step-though test the latent period rose and the error number got smaller. Moreover, in cultured primary neurons, the dramatic drop of LDH level in culture media and the high OD scores in MTT test indicated that CYZ could effectively resist the neurotoxicity induced by A beta 25-35.
Conclusion: CYZ presented promising effects on learning and memory dysfunction and A beta-induced neurotoxicity in vitro.