The effect of 3-n-butylphthalide on learning and memory abilities in vascular dementia rats

Objective To investigate the effect of 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on learning and memory abilities in vascular demensia (VD) rats. Methods VD model rats was established by two-vessel method. 60 3-month-old Wistar male rats were randomly divided into VD group, sham-operate group and NBP group. Rats in NBP group were given NBP 120 mg · kg-1 · d-1 ,VD and sham-operate group were given equal quality vegetable oil.Morris water maze was used to assess the learning and memory abilities in each group and HE staining was used to observe the hippocampus morphology of the rats. Results The escape latency in hidden plat test was( (38.34 ±2.46 ) s, ( 14.83 ± 3.77s ), ( 75.74 ± 6.33 ) s ) and the original platform quadrant time was ( ( 26.45 ± 4.66 ) s,(35.21 ±3.78)s, ( 18.67 ±5.39)s) in NBP group,sham-operate group and VD group respectively. Compared to VD group, NBP group had obviously decreased escape latency in hidden plat test, increased original platform quadrant time and distinctly decreased the necrosis of the neurons in HE dyeing. Conclusion NBP can improve the learning and memory deficits in VD rats. Key words: 3-n-butylphthalide Vascular dementia;  Learning and memory abilities