ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effects of enzymolytic extracts of abalone (EEA) on memory of mice, and compared with water extracts of abalone (WEA). Methods: Mice were given EEA or WEA once daily lasting 10 d. Their step-down latency (SDL) and escape latency (EL) in a passive avoidance , and food-hunting time in a maze were determined. Results: EEA 2-8 ml/kg lengthened SDL by 13.7 %-105.3 %, shortened EL by 40.0 %-60.0 % and food-hunting time by 28.3 %-49.4 %, in a dose-dependent manner. EEA reversed ethanol-induced disturbance of memory retrial in a passive avoidance and NaNO2-induced disruption of memory retention in a passive avoidance and maze. Significant action of WEA was not observed until the dose of WEA was increased to 8 ml/kg. Conclusion: EEA improves learning and memory, more effective than WEA.