Effect of Zuogui pill on cognitive function in sleep-deprived rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Zuogui pill on cognitive function in sleep-deprived rats.Methods:Thirty SPF Sprague-Dawley male rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing about 200 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sleep deprivation group (group SD), low-dose Zuogui pill group (group L), medium-dose Zuogui pill group (group M) and high-dose Zuogui pill group (group H). The model of sleep deprivation was developed by the multi-platform water environment method.In L, M and H groups, the doses of Zuogui pill were 2.42, 4.84 and 9.68 g/kg, respectively, Zuogui pill was administered by intragastric gavage at 10 00 am every day, and the volume of fluid for intragastric gavage was 4 ml each time.In C and SD groups, pure water was used for intragastric gavage.In L, M and H groups, the liquid was prepared according to the corresponding doses of Zuogui pill for intragastric gavage, once a day for 7 consecutive days.The cognitive function was evaluated by the Morris water maze test.After the end of the second behavioral testing, blood samples from the eyeballs were collected, and then the rats were sacrificed by decapitation, and brains were removed and the hippocampus was obtained for determination of the concentrations of serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hippocampal tissues (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the total swimming distance and escape latency were significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original quadrant and the number of crossing the platform were decreased, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and hippocampal tissues were increased, the content of MDA was increased, and the contents of GSH-Px and SOD were decreased in the other groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD, the total swimming distance and escape latency were significantly shortened, and the time of staying at the original quadrant was prolonged, and the number of crossing the platform was increased, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and hippocampal tissues were decreased, the content of MDA was decreased, and the contents of GSH-Px and SOD were increased in L, M and H groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Zuogui pill can improve the cognitive function in sleep-deprived in rats, and the mechanism is related to inhibition of inflammatory responses and improvement in the antioxidant capacity.