Protective effects of xanthoceraside on learning and memory impairment induced by Aβ_25–35 in mice

Abstract

This study examined the effects of xanthoceraside (1) on learning and memory impairment induced in mice by intracerebroventricular injection of aggregated peptide β-amyloid 25–35 (Aβ_25–35). Learning and memory functions in mice were examined using step-through, Y-maze and water maze tests. Administration of 1 reduced the number of errors and prolonged latency in the step-through test in mice impaired by Aβ_25–35. Likewise, latency to find the terminal platform was decreased and the number of right reflects was increased in the water maze test, and the percentage of alternation behaviors in the Y-maze test was increased. Biochemical studies showed that decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase, and increased content of malondialdehyde in mice impaired by Aβ_25–35 were significantly ameliorated by administration of 1. The present results suggest that 1 may provide a potential treatment strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords:

• xanthoceraside
• Aβ_25–35
• Alzheimer's disease
• learning and memory

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Science and Technology Projects from the Educational Department of Liaoning Province (20060880), and also partly by grants from the Shenyang Science and Technology Commission (1071060-9-00).