Nat Prod Sci.  2024 Jun;30(2):117-124. 10.20307/nps.2024.30.2.117.

Cognitive Enhancing Activity of Lysimachia christinae Extract on Scopolamineinduced Memory Impairment in Mice

• Ma CJ

• KMID: 2557838
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.20307/nps.2024.30.2.117

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the gradual loss of memory and learning abilities, representing a form of dementia. Lysimachia christinae (LC), a traditional medicinal plant native to China, Japan, and Korea, is esteemed for its reputed cholagogic, hepatoprotective, and antihyperlipidemic properties. Previous research from our team has demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of LC extract in HT22 cells exposed to glutamate insult. This study seeks to further explore LC’s potential in enhancing cognitive function, utilizing a mouse model with scopolamine-induced memory impairment. The Morris water maze test assessed spatial memory enhancement, while the passive avoidance test evaluated its effect on learning memory. LC was extracted using methanol and an ultrasonic extraction device. Subsequently, the LC extract was administered to ICR mice subjected to scopolamine insult at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Notably, the LC extract significantly improved memory impairment induced by scopolamine and inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity. These results suggest that the LC extract ameliorated memory impairment by enhancing the acetylcholine esterase signaling pathway. Based on these findings, we propose that the LC extract shows promise as a potential candidate for the development of new nutraceuticals aimed at improving memory impairment.

Keyword

Lysimachia christinae; Alzheimer’s disease; Cognitive enhancing activity; Acetylcholinesterase