Effect of Sini Decoction on Learning and Memory Ability in Rats with Vascular Dementia

Objective:To explore the effect of Sini Decoction(SND) on learning and memory ability of vascular dementia(VD) in rats and the related mechanism.Method:VD model of rat was established by repeated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion after the decrease in blood pressure induced by sodium nitroprusside.Thirty rats were randomly divided into Sham-operated group;VD model group and SND group(3.5 g·kg-1,ig 28 d).The learning and memory ability was tested with Y-maze and water maze.The production of NOS,NO and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was detected.Result:Learning and memory abilities were decreased,NOS and NO were increased,the activities of GSH-Px were reduced in VD group,compared with those in the sham-operated group(P0.05).In SND group,the learning and memory ability was increased,NOS and NO were decreased and the activity of GSH-Px was increased,comparedwith those in the VD group(P0.01).Conclusion:These findings suggested that SND could improve the learning and memory ability in VD rats,which may be due to the increased anti-oxidative ability of brain tissue.