Effect of Kangshuai Yizhi Formula I (抗衰益智方 I) on learning and memory dysfunction induced by scopolamine in mice

Objective：To evaluate the improvement of Kangshuai Yizhi FormulaⅠ（抗衰益智方Ⅰ,KYFⅠ）on the learning and memory dysfunction in mice,and on the mechanism of the hippocampal cholinergic system and the nervous system of monoamine which are closely related to learning and memory function.Methods：Mice in the low-,middle-,and high-dose KYFⅠgroups were given low-,middle-,and high-dose KYF,respectively, by gastrogavage for 35 successive days.Animals in the control group and the model group were treated with distilled water.The acute learning and memory dysfunction model was established by injection of scopolamine from day 31,and Morris water maze was used to assess the behavior performance of scopolamine-induced model mice for five days.The activities of acetylcholinesterase（AChE）,choline acetyl transferase（ChaT） and the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus were measured.The activity of monoamine oxidase（MAO）in hippocampus and serum was also detected.Results：（1）Compared with the control group,the mean escape latency was shortened,and the frequency across the platform and the staying time at the platform area on the 5th day were decreased in the model group by Morris water maze test.The activities of AChE and MAO were increased,and the ChaT activity and monoamine neurotransmitter content were decreased as well.（2） The escape latency for 4 days in the low-,middle-,and high-dose KYFⅠgroups was significantly shortened than that in the model group,with the shortest latency in the high-dose KYFⅠgroup（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）.The frequency across the platform was significantly increased and the staying time at the platform was significantly prolonged in the middle-and high-dose KYFⅠgroups（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）.（3）As compared with the model group,the activity of ChaT and the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus were significantly increased, and the activities of AchE and MAO were significantly decreased in the hippocampus in the high-dose KYFⅠgroup（P〈0.01）.Conclusions：High-dose KYFⅠcan significantly improve the learning and memory dysfunction induced by scopolamine in mice.Its mechanism may be related to improving the central cholinergic system and regulating the hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters.