Nat Prod Sci.  2025 Mar;31(1):55-61. 10.20307/nps.2025.31.1.55.

Cognitive Enhancing Effects of Androst-16-ene-3,6-diol Isolated from Lysimachia christinae on Scopolamine-Induced Impaired Memory Function

• Ma CJ

• KMID: 2566714
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.20307/nps.2025.31.1.55

Abstract

The ability of androst-16-ene-3,6-diol, a compound derived from Lysimachia christinae, to enhance cognitive function was assessed in mice with scopolamine-induced amnesia. through behavioral and biochemical studies. The Morris water maze test demonstrated significant improvements in spatial learning and memory, with treated mice showing reduced escape latency, shorter path lengths, and enhanced swimming trajectories compared to scopolamine-treated controls. In the passive avoidance test, androst-16-ene-3,6-diol effectively restored retention memory, getting about 65% of the performance detected in control mice group. Biochemical analysis revealed that androst-16-ene-3,6-diol notably diminished acetylcholinesterase activity in the cortex and hippocampus, critical regions for learning and memory. These effects were comparable to those of donepezil, a standard acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as a positive control (1 mg/kg orally). The findings indicate that androst-16-ene-3,6-diol exerts robust cognitive-enhancing effects by mitigating scopolamine-induced cholinergic deficits through acetylcholinesterase inhibition. This highlights its potential as a promising therapeutic candidate for memory impairment and neurodegenerative disorders.

Keyword

Androst-16-ene-3; 6-diol; Lysimachia christinae; Alzheimer’s disease; Cognitive enhancing activity; Acetylcholinesterase