Jiao-Tai-Wan Improves Cognitive Dysfunctions through Cholinergic Pathway in Scopolamine-Treated Mice

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction is characterized as the gradual loss of learning ability and cognitive function, as well as memory impairment. Jiao-tai-wan (JTW), a Chinese medicine prescription including Coptis chinensis and cinnamon, is mainly used for the treatment of insomnia, while the effect of JTW in improving cognitive function has not been reported. In this study, we employed a scopolamine- (SCOP-) treated learning and memory deficit model to explore whether JTW could alleviate cognitive dysfunction. In behavioral experiments, Morris water maze, Y-maze, fearing condition test, and novel object discrimination test were conducted. Results showed that oral administration of JTW (2.1 g/kg, 4.2 g/kg, and 8.4 g/kg) can effectively promote the ability of spatial recognition, learning and memory, and the memory ability of fresh things of SCOP-treated mice. In addition, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was effectively decreased; the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and concentration of acetylcholine (Ach) were improved after JTW treatment in both hippocampus and cortex of SCOP-treated mice. JTW effectively ameliorated oxidative stress because of decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, JTW promotes the expressions of neurotrophic factors including postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synaptophysin (SYN) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in both hippocampus and cortex. Nissl's staining shows that the neuroprotective effect of JTW was very effective. To sum up, JTW might be a promising candidate for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

Ficus erecta Thunb Leaves Alleviate Memory Loss Induced by Scopolamine in Mice via Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Cholinergic System

“…Increasing levels of oxidative stress in preclinical and clinical studies during the latent period of the disease lead to a sudden onset of symptoms of cognitive deficit [43,44]. Levels of SOD and GSH in the antioxidant defense system are markedly reduced in SCO-induced memory impairment animals and human AD patients [42,45]. The present study show the neuroprotective effects of EEFE against oxidative stress induced by SCO in mice and H 2 O 2 in neuronal cells.…”

“…The exhaustion of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as SOD results in the overproduction of ROS that can directly cause cellular oxidative damage [46]. ROS leads to the process of lipid peroxidation in neuronal degeneration of the brain and reduces the capacity of the antioxidant defense system [43,45,47]. Thus, protective effects against neuronal death and oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases are important in the discovery of new therapeutic drugs or supplements.…”

Bay Leaf (Laurus Nobilis L.) Incense Improved Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Rats by Restoring Cholinergic Dysfunction and Brain Antioxidant Status

“…The condition of oxidative stress may be used to assess the hippocampus state of Sco-treated rats [62]. Sco exhibited pro-oxidant activity, as evidenced by suppressed activity of SOD (p < 0.001) ( Figure 5B), CAT (p < 0.01) ( Figure 5C), the total content of reduced GSH (p < 0.0001) ( Figure 5D), along with increased levels of protein carbonyl (p < 0.0001) ( Figure 5E), and MDA (p < 0.001) ( Figure 5F).…”

Activation of the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for COVID-19

“…4) Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW), composed of coptis chinensis and cinnamon, is a famous prescription recorded in Han Shi Yi Tong, has been used for centuries for the treatment of insomnia ( 81 ). Recent studies found it could decrease the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increase the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), elevate the content of ACh, therefore activating cholinergic pathway and improving cognitive function ( 82 ). Its role in inflammation and COVID-19 infection is worthy of being explored.…”