Protective Effects of Xanthoceraside on Learning and Memory Impairment Induced by Aβ_(1-42) in Mice / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the effects of Xanthoceraside on the learning and memory impairment induced in mire by innacere-broventricular injection of aggregated amyloid β peptide _(1-42)(Aβ_(1-42)). Methods Learning and memory functions in mice were examined us-ing step-through test and water maze test. Biochemical determination of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) were measured with spectrophotometric melhod. Results Administration of Xanthoceraside reduced number of error and prolonged the laten-cy in step-through test in mice impaired by Aβ_(1-42) (P < 0.05,P< 0.01,respectively). In water maze test,the swimming time decreased in mice treated with Xanthoceraside compared with the model mice impaired by Aβ_(1-42) (P< 0.05,P< 0.01,respectively). The results of bio-chemical determination showed that decrease level of AchE and ChAT in mice impaired by Aβ_(1-42) were significantly ameliorated by Xantho-ceraside administration (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Conclusion Xanthoceraside has the effect of improving learning and memory impairment in mice inducel by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_(1-42) via enhancing the cholinergic system functions.

Progress in the development of early-onset antidepressants / 中国药理学通报

Existing antidepressants exhibit delayed onset of action,which can decrease the compliance of the patients and enhance the risk of suicide.How to produce early-onset antidepressants with higher efficacy and lower adverse reactions has become a crucial point in the research of antidepressants.It has been demonstrated that selective 5-HT1Aantagonist,?2 antagonist and 5-HT2Aantagonist can accelerate the response of classic antidepressants.Furthermore,5-HT/NE dual reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT/NE/DA triple reuptake inhibitor can also produce early onset of action.Here,several reasons for the delayed onset of action and the progress in the development of early-onset antidepressants are reviewed.

Research on amnesia improving effect of alcohol extract of Rhoponticum uniflorum / 中成药

Objective: To study the effects of the alcohol extract of Loulu (AEL) on the ability of learning and memory in mice and on the activity of cholinesterase in brain and whole blood.Methods: In order to establish the effect of the alcohol ectract of Loulu on the ability of learning and membory in mice, the methods of one trial passive avoidance response(step down test) were used. Results: The AEL could antagonize the acquisition impairment of memory induced by scopolamine (SCPL) and the consolidation disruption of memory elicited by cycloheximide (CYC), inhibit the activity of cholinesterase in brain and whole blood. Conclusion: The improving effect of the AEL on the ability of learning and memory might be related with its effect of improving function of the central cholinesterase system.