Effects of catalpol on scopolamine-induced learning and memory dysfunction in mice

Aim To assess effects of catalpol on spatial learning and memory dysfunction induced by scopolamine in mice.Methods The mice were divided into 4 groups:control group,model group(scopolamine,2 mg·kg-1),positive group(oxiracetam,105 mg·kg-1)and catalpol group(9 mg·kg-1).The learning and memory of mice were evalauated by Morris water maze test.30 min before the test,drugs were given by intraperitoneal injection and escape latencies were recorded.In later experiments,the animals were sacrificed and the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were quickly removed and homogenated.ACh and BDNF in mice cerebral cortex and hippocampus were tested.Results(1)The Morris water maze test showed that there were no differences in escape latencies in all groups before giving scopolamine.But there were obvious differences after giving scopolamine.(2) Compared with the control group,scopolamine induced learning and memory dysfunction.Compared with the model group,the mice in positive group and catalpol group had shorter escape latencies and the content of ACh and BDNF were increased obviously(P0.05).Conclusions The mice injected with scopolamine imitate the amnesia animal models sucessfully.Catalpol can improve the learning and memory dysfunction induced by scopolamine.The mechanism may be related to the promotion of BDNF expression and the increase of the content of ACh in brain.