Nelumbo nucifera semen extract improves memory in rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia through the induction of choline acetyltransferase expression

Neurosci Lett. 2009 Sep 11;461(1):41-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.05.045. Epub 2009 May 20.

Abstract

Nelumbo nucifera semen (NNS) is a traditional herb with anti-diarrheal, anti-ganacratia, and tranquilizer-like pharmacological activities. In this study, we examined the anti-amnesic effect of NNS on rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia. Passive avoidance tests, acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) activity, and choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) expression were used to evaluate the NNS anti-amnesic effects. The rats were divided into five groups: the normal group, scopolamine-treated group (1mg/kg; control), NNS (1g/kg) and scopolamine (1mg/kg) co-treatment group, and the ARICEPT (1mg/kg) and scopolamine (1mg/kg) co-treatment group (positive control). The rats were administered the compounds orally for 14 days. The latency time of passive avoidance significantly increased by 54% in the NNS-treated group compared to the scopolamine-treated group. The ACHE activity in the NNS-treated group significantly decreased to 7.35% than that of the control group. CHAT-positive neurons increased by 51.02% in the NNS group compared to the control group. These results suggest that NNS extract improves scopolamine-induced dementia by inhibiting ACHE activity and inducing CHAT expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / drug effects
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / biosynthesis*
  • Hippocampus / enzymology
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects*
  • Nelumbo / chemistry*
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Nootropic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reaction Time
  • Scopolamine / pharmacology*
  • Septum of Brain / enzymology

Substances

  • Nootropic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Scopolamine
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase