Protection Mechanism of Neferine in Learning and Memory Function of Rats with Chronic Cerebral Ische-mia / 中国药师

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of neferine ( Nef ) on the learning and memory function and the expression of Notch1 and SYN in hippocampus in the rats with chronic cerebral ischemia .Methods:Male SD rats (250-300g) were randomly divid-ed into the sham operation group(Sham), the model group(Mod), nimodipine (Nim) positive control group and Nef treatment group with 5 ones in each .The chronic cerebral ischemia ( CCI ) model was established using bilateral common carotid artery ligation ( 2-VO).The rats were orally administered with NS(5 mg· kg-1),Nim(1 mg· kg -1) and Nef (20 mg· kg-1),respectively for 21 days after the first day of operation .The body weight was recorded .The number of hippocampal neurons in the rats was observed by Nissel staining.The learning and memory function was evaluated by Morris water maze test .Notch1 and SYN protein expressions in hippo-campus were detected by IHC staining and Western blot .Results:Compared with the Mod group , Nef group could reverse the reduc-tion of body weight and the number of hippocampal neurons in hippocampus CA 1 region induced by 2-VO, increase the route and the time of platform finding, prolong the escape latency and decrease the number of platform cross on the 21st day, and the effects were bet-ter than those of Nim (P<0.05).Moreover, the down-regulated SYN and Notch1 protein expressions in CCI group were both increase after the Nef treatment on the 21st day.Conclusion:Nef has a protective effect on the function of learning and memory in CCI rats in-duced by 2-VO,which may be related with the strengthened Notch 1 pathway in CA1 region of hippocampus and synaptic plasticity .