Effects of pueraria on the cognitive function and neuronal ultrastructure in hippocampus CA1 and CA3 of ovariectomized rats

Objective To observe the effect of puerarin on the cognitive function of ovariectomized rats and further study the effects of puerarin on neuron Scanning Electronic Microscopy(SEM) of ovariectomized rat' s CA1 and CA3 region.Methods 72 of SPF female rats,weight(200 ± 20) g,were treated into ovariectomized rats and then randomly divided into:sham,model,positive control and puerarin treatment groups,12 rats in each group.Rats in experimental groups were administered with saline and the corresponding drugs,respectively,by gavage for 30 days.At the end of the treatment,the cognitive function was tested by Morris water maze method.The morphology change of hippocampal neurons were observed by SEM.Results In the 6th day of training,compared with model group,there were significant differences in the exact time of the first passed through the platform and the times of passed through the platform in 120 seconds of sham,positive control and puerarin treatment groups(P 0.05,P 0.01).The results of SEM showed that there was obvious decrease of apoptosis phenomenon such as nuclei pyknosi and chromatin concentration in rats' hippocampal of puerarin treatment group.Conclusions Puerarin can improve the learning and memory functions of ovariectomized rats.Puerarin can decrease the apoptosis of rats' hippocampal neuron caused by lack of estrogen.