scholarly journals Improvement of Learning and Memory Induced by Cordyceps Polypeptide Treatment and the Underlying Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Guangxin Yuan ◽  
Liping An ◽  
Yunpeng Sun ◽  
Guangyu Xu ◽  
Peige Du

Our previous research revealed that Cordyceps militaris can improve the learning and memory, and although the main active ingredient should be its polypeptide complexes, the underlying mechanism of its activity remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored the mechanisms by which Cordyceps militaris improves learning and memory in a mouse model. Mice were given scopolamine hydrobromide intraperitoneally to establish a mouse model of learning and memory impairment. The effects of Cordyceps polypeptide in this model were tested using the Morris water maze test; serum superoxide dismutase activity; serum malondialdehyde levels; activities of acetyl cholinesterase, Na+-k+-ATPase, and nitric oxide synthase; and gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate contents in brain tissue. Moreover, differentially expressed genes and the related cellular signaling pathways were screened using an mRNA expression profile chip. The results showed that the genes Pik3r5, Il-1β, and Slc18a2 were involved in the effects of Cordyceps polypeptide on the nervous system of these mice. Our findings suggest that Cordyceps polypeptide may improve learning and memory in the scopolamine-induced mouse model of learning and memory impairment by scavenging oxygen free radicals, preventing oxidative damage, and protecting the nervous system.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gil-Yong Lee ◽  
Chan Lee ◽  
Gyu Hwan Park ◽  
Jung-Hee Jang

Increasing evidence suggests that neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are mediated via disruption of cholinergic neurons and enhanced oxidative stress. Therefore, attention has been focused on searching for antioxidant phytochemicals for the prevention and/or treatment of AD through their ability to fortify cholinergic function and antioxidant defense capacity. In this study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effect ofα-pinene (APN) against learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine (SCO, 1 mg/kg, i.p.), a muscarinic receptor antagonist in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of APN (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly improved SCO-induced cognitive dysfunction as assessed by Y-maze and passive avoidance tests. In Morris water-maze test, APN effectively shortened the mean escape latency to find the hidden platform during training days. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of APN, the expression of proteins involved in the acetylcholine metabolism and antioxidant system was examined. Particularly, APN treatment increased mRNA expression of choline acetyltransferase in the cortex and protein levels of antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 and manganese superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus via activation of NF-E2-related factor 2. These findings suggest the possible neuroprotective potentials of APN for the management of dementia with learning and memory loss.


2013 ◽  
Vol 411-414 ◽  
pp. 3178-3180
Author(s):  
Li Hai Jin ◽  
Xing Yu Zhao ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Guo Qing Sun ◽  
...  

We assessed the effectiveness and mechanism of action of Soybean Isoflavones on learning and memory and Caspase-3 levels in the hippocampus of rats after Morris water maze (MWM test). Soybean Isoflavones (200,400 or 800 mg/kg/d) were administered by intragavage once daily for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the ability of Soybean Isoflavones to increase learning and memory impairment. The levels of Caspase-3 in hippocampus of rats were detected by Westernblot after MWM test. Compared to untreated controls (P<0.01), MWM could be prolonged after Soybean Isoflavones treatment (P<0.05 for="" low="" and="" intermediate="" dose="" groups="" westernblot="" analysis="" showed="" that="" the="" protein="" expression="" of="" caspase-3="" was="" decreased="" in="" different="" concentration="" soybean="" isoflavones="" i="">P<0.05 and="" i="">P<0.01, respectively). The results suggest that Soybean Isoflavones is effective in improving the learning and memory in rats , the mechanism of which may be related Caspase ways.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-101
Author(s):  
Q. Niu ◽  
P. Niu ◽  
Q. Zhang ◽  
L. Wang ◽  
S. He ◽  
...  

Aluminum exposure has been reported to be related to learning and memory impairment. This study examines the role of aluminum in alterating amino acids of the cerebral cortex of rats. The Step-down type tests were performed to investigate the alteration of learning and memory of rats induced by aluminum. The amino acids in the cerebral cortex were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HLPC). Results show that the amounts of aluminum in the cerebral cortex increased by 5.0mgAl3+/(Kg·BW) group and 10.0mg Al3+/(Kg·BW) group. In the Step-down type test, the EN1 increased significantly in the Al3+ 10.0mg/(Kg·BW) group. The latency shortened obviously and the EN2 increased significantly in the 10.0mg Al3+/(Kg·BW) group. The content of Glu (Glutamic acid) increased but the content of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) decreased significantly in the 10.0mg Al3+/(Kg·BW) group. This present study shows evidence that the disorder of amino acid neurotransmitters system plays an important role in the impairment of learning and memory of rats induced by aluminum.


Metallomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Jinghua Yang ◽  
Yingqi Li ◽  
Miao Yu ◽  
Shiyu Liu ◽  
...  

Lanthanum (La) can cause central nervous system damage in rats and lead to learning and memory impairment, but the relevant mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo-Jen Wu ◽  
Ming-Tsuen Hsieh ◽  
Chi-Rei Wu ◽  
W. Gibson Wood ◽  
Yuh-Fung Chen

Ischemic stroke results in brain damage and behavioral deficits including memory impairment. Protective effects of green tea extract (GTex) and its major functional polyphenol (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on memory were examined in cerebral ischemic rats. GTex and EGCG were administered 1 hr before middle cerebral artery ligation in rats. GTex, EGCG, and pentoxifylline (PTX) significantly improved ishemic-induced memory impairment in a Morris water maze test. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were increased by long-term treatment with GTex and EGCG. Both compounds were also associated with reduced cerebral infraction breakdown of MDA and GSH in the hippocampus. Inin vitroexperiments, EGCG had anti-inflammatory effects in BV-2 microglia cells. EGCG inhibited lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced nitric oxide production and reduced cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in BV-2 cells. GTex and its active polyphenol EGCG improved learning and memory deficits in a cerebral ischemia animal model and such protection may be due to the reduction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-62
Author(s):  
Fuzhou Wang

GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. Also GABA activation is considered as the basis of general anesthesia including intravenous and inhalational anesthetics. Meanwhile, cumulating evidence indicated that GABA is the underlying mechanism of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Based on these findings, researchers are beginning to focus on GABA as the target to treat POCD, but they ignored the role of GABA in the performance of general anesthesia, especially when the blockade of GABA was given prior to surgery. It is undoubtedly risking our patients in intra-operative awareness. Our exploratory data also verified our hypothesis in which the GABA inhibition would reduce the efficacy of inhalational anesthetics.


Life Sciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 116898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinqing Li ◽  
Feifei Xu ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Xiaoqing Li ◽  
Meitong Guo ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue-Fei Ji ◽  
Tian-Yan Chi ◽  
Qian Xu ◽  
Xiao-Lu He ◽  
Xiao-Yu Zhou ◽  
...  

The effects of xanthoceraside on learning and memory impairment were investigated and the possible mechanism associated with the protection of mitochondria was also preliminarily explored in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice model induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Aβ1-42. The results indicated that xanthoceraside (0.08–0.32 mg/kg) significantly improved learning and memory impairment in Morris water maze test and Y-maze test. Xanthoceraside significantly reversed the aberrant decrease of ATP levels and attenuated the abnormal increase of ROS levels both in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in mice injected with Aβ1-42. Moreover, xanthoceraside dose dependently reversed the decrease of COX, PDHC, and KGDHC activity in isolated cerebral cortex mitochondria of the mice compared with Aβ1-42 injected model mice. In conclusion, xanthoceraside could improve learning and memory impairment, promote the function of mitochondria, decrease the production of ROS, and inhibit oxidative stress. The improvement effects on mitochondria may be through withstanding the damage of Aβto mitochondrial respiratory chain and the key enzymes in Kreb’s cycle. Therefore, the results from present study and previous study indicate that xanthoceraside could be a competitive candidate for the treatment of AD.


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