ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate whether the artermisinin has beneficial efficacy to improve the learning and memory in aged mice, as well as the possible mechanisms regarding the inflammatory cytokines and monoamlne neurotransmitters.@*Methods@#30 aged mice(22 month old) were randomly divided into the aged mouse model control group(n=10), the artemisinin low dose group(artemisinin 0.1% in feed, n=10)and the artemisinin high dose group(artemisinin 0.3% in feed, n=10). Another 10 mice(2 month old) served as young mouse model control group. The artemisinin low dose group and the artemisinin high dose group fed artemisinin feed for 10 weeks. The aged mouse model control group and the young mouse model control group were fed standard feed.Morris water maze test was performed to assess learning and memory capacities for evaluation of the cognitive degree. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 were also detected by ELISA and dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin in the brain were analyzed by HPLC.@*Results@#(1) Morris water maze test showed, the retention time of the aged mouse model control group was significantly longer than that of the young mouse model control group (P<0.05). The retention time of the artemisinin low dose group and the artemisinin high dose group was significantly shorter than that of the aged mouse model control group (P<0.05). In the ninth days of the reverse recessive platform experiment, the retention time of the artemisinin low dose group ((50.1±19.9) s) and the artemisinin high dose group ((43.2±17.6) s) was significantly shorter than that of the aged mouse model control group ((66.1±29.1)s, P<0.05). (2) Serum inflammatory factors test showed, the level of IL-6 and TNF-αin the artemisinin low dose group (IL-6 : (28.4±4.3) pg/ml, TNF-α: (51.8±8.2) pg/ml) and the artemisinin high dose group(IL-6 : (17.6±2.3) pg/ml, TNF-α: (38.6±12.5) pg/ml) were significantly lower than those in aged mouse model control group(IL-6 : (36.12±7.98)pg/ml), TNF-α : (67.32±10.27) pg/ml, P<0.05). (3) Neurotransmitter content test in the brain showed, the content of DA((19.96±3.89) mmol/ml) and 5-HT((5.73±0.93)mmol/ml) in low dose artemisinin group was higher than that in aged mouth model control group. The content of DA((26.13±5.66) mmol/ml), NE((16.31±2.69) mmol/ml) and 5-HT((8.03±1.93) mmol/ml) in high dose artemisinin group was higher than that in aged mouth model group(DA(13.96±3.89) mmol/ml, NE(8.73±2.16) mmol/ml, 5-HT (3.82±1.09)mmol/ml, all P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Artemisinin can improve the ability of learning and memory in aged mice. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the inflammation and promoting the level of neurotransmitters in the brain of aged mice.