Effects of timosaponins on learning and memory abilities of rats with dementia induced by lateral cerebral ventricular injection of amyloid β-peptide

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of timosaponins, one group of the two major components of Anemarrhean asphodeloides Bge, on the learning and memory capacities of rats with dementia induced by amyloid β-peptide(25-35) [Aβ(25-35)]. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomized into 6 groups(n=10) and except for those in the control group, all other rats were subjected to lateral cerebral ventriclar injection of aggregated Aβ(25-35) to prepare rat models of dementia. Twenty-four hours after the injection, the rats received intragastric administration of timosaponins at 3 different doses(treatment group) or Ginkgo biloba extract EGB761 on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. From postoperative days 8 to 14 after Aβ(25-35) injection, Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the effects of Aβ(25-35) and the therapeutic agents timosaponins on the learning and memory capacity of the rats. On day 14, the level of malonaldehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and total antioxidation capacity in the brain tissue of the rats were measured. Results Aβ(25-35) induced significant learning and memory impairment in the rats, which had lowered SOD activity and total antioxidation capacity(P<0.01) with elevated MDA level(P<0.05). Compared with the rats in dementia model group, those receiving timosaponin treatment at different doses all manifested alleviation of learning and memory impairment(P<0.05), with enhanced SOD activity(P<0.05) and total antioxidation capacity(P<0.01) and reduced MDA level(P<0.05) in the brain tissue. Conclusion Timosaponins can remarkably enhance the learning and memory capacities in rats with Aβ(25-35)-induced dementia, presumably in relation to their actions to promote the scavenging of the free radicals.

CLC Number:

OUYANG Shi, SUN Li-sha, GUO Sheng-lan, LIU Xu, XU Jiang-ping. Effects of timosaponins on learning and memory abilities of rats with dementia induced by lateral cerebral ventricular injection of amyloid β-peptide[J]. Journal of Southern Medical University, 2005, 25(02): 121-126.

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