Biomol Ther.  2013 Nov;21(6):462-469.

Inhibitory Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Bark on Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Deficits in Mice

• Kwon SH
• Ma SX
• Joo HJ
• Lee SY
• Jang CG

Abstract

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Bark (EUE) is commonly used for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, and ischialgia as well as to promote longevity. In this study, we tested the effects of EUE aqueous extract in graded doses to protect and enhance cognition in scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice. EUE significantly improved the impairment of short-term or working memory induced by scopolamine in the Y-maze and significantly reversed learning and memory deficits in mice as measured by the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. One day after the last trial session of the Morris water maze test (probe trial session), EUE dramatically increased the latency time in the target quadrant in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EUE significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activities in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in a dose-dependent manner. EUE also markedly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylation of cAMP element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus of scopolamine-induced mice. Based on these findings, we suggest that EUE may be useful for the treatment of cognitive deficits, and that the beneficial effects of EUE are mediated, in part, by cholinergic signaling enhancement and/or protection.

Keyword

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Bark; Scopolamine; Learning and memory; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; cAMP element binding protein; Alzheimer's disease

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholinesterase
Alzheimer Disease
Animals
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Carrier Proteins
Cognition
Eucommiaceae*
Hippocampus
Hypertension
Learning*
Longevity
Low Back Pain
Maze Learning
Memory Disorders*
Memory*
Memory, Short-Term
Mice*
Phosphorylation
Scopolamine Hydrobromide
Acetylcholinesterase
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Carrier Proteins
Maze Learning
Scopolamine Hydrobromide