Procyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpod ameliorate scopolamine‐induced memory impairment in mice

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to determine the effect of procyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpod (LSPC) on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice. The capacities of memory and learning were evaluated by the Morris water maze and the step-down avoidance test. LSPC (50, 100, 150 mg/kg BW, p.o.) significantly reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in the Morris water maze test, as evaluated by shortened escape latency and swimming distance. In the step-down avoidance test, LSPC (50, 100, 150 mg/kg BW, p.o.) treatment significantly reduced the number of errors and shortened latency compared with that of scopolamine. In addition, LSPC was also found to inhibit acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity. These results of this study suggest that LSPC may play a useful role in the treatment of cognitive impairment caused by AD and aging.

Scopolamine-induced learning impairment reversed by physostigmine in zebrafish

“…Our results showed that scopolamine impaired retention as well as acquisition of the passive avoidance response. These results are very consistent with other studies showing scopolamine-induced learning deficits in a variety of learning paradigms, such as the Morris water maze and the step-down avoidance test in rats and mice (Janas et al, 2005;Xu et al, 2009); the escape latency and swimming distances appeared significantly longer in the scopolamine-treated mice than in the controls. Additionally, memory retention was shown to be reduced by post-training scopolamine injection in rats (Eidi et al, 2003), which is consistent with our results showing that the crossing time was not significantly longer in the test session as compared to that of the first training trial when scopolamine was administered after the training session.…”

“…Behavioral studies have shown that zebrafish are capable of learning various tasks such as spatial alteration, active avoidance conditioning, and plus maze (Pradel et al, 1999(Pradel et al, , 2000Swain et al, 2004;Xu et al, 2009;Sison and Gerlai, 2010). In addition, major neurotransmitters present in the rat brain play a role in the zebrafish brain function; for example, blockade of NMDA receptor activation that is crucial in the learning process in rats blocks acquisition of passive avoidance learning in zebrafish (Blank et al, 2009).…”

Changes in the Nitric Oxide System Contribute to Effect of Procyanidins Extracted from the Lotus Seedpod Ameliorating Memory Impairment in Cognitively Impaired Aged Rats

“…14 In addition, these compounds have a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and anticarcinogen actions. 15 In addition to the beneficial properties mentioned above, we and other researchers have found that procyanidins are able to ameliorate the learning and memory impairment in the cognitively impaired individuals, such as scopolamineinduced memory impairment mice, 16 senescence-accelerated mice, 17,18 aged rats, 19 or elderly population. 20 The mechanisms involved were mainly the rejuvenations of antioxidant [17][18][19] and cholinergic 16,19 systems as well as hippocampal cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein phosphorylation.…”

Neuroprotective effects of lotus seedpod procyanidins on extremely low frequency electromagnetic field-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons

“…They also suggest a critical role for grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) as a neuroprotection in the hippocampus neurons and in preventing cognitive loss with age [21]. Recently, LSPCs have been reported to have ameliorative effects on cognitive deficits in senescence-accelerated mice or scopolamine-treated animals [13,22]. In addition, it has been indicated that LSPCs can improve spatial learning and memory in cognitively impaired aged rats caused by Alzheimer's disease [23].…”