ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the protective effect and mechanism of osthol on learning and memory impairment of mice with acute senile model induced by AlCl3.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After s.c. AlCl3 60 mg.kg-1 for 7 d and i.p. osthol 15 and 7.5 mg.kg-1 for 12 d, using step-through test and step-down test, the effect of osthol on learning and memory was observed and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities in blood and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in plasma and cerebrum were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Osthol 15 and 7.5 mg.kg-1 significantly improved the capability of memory and enhanced the activities of GSH-PX and SOD in AlCl3 treated mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Osthol shows protective effect on brain memory impairment of mice in acute senile model induced by AlCl3. Perhaps the mechanism is involved in enhancing the activities of GSH-PX and SOD, clearing away the free radical, protecting the brain neuron from the harm of lipoperoxide.</p>