Effects of suberogorgin and its derivates on learning and memory in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the effects of suberogorgin (Sub) and its derivates on memory and their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) actions.


METHODS
The step-down latency (SDL) and the escape latency (EL) of mice were determined at the same time in a passive avoidance task after Sub, N-suberogorgamide-N-N-dicyclohexyl urea (Sub-DU), or N-cyclohexyl suberogorgamide (N-CS) was injected i.p. The AChE activities in brain hemogenates were determined with colorimetry.


RESULTS
Sub 1.9, Sub-DU 3.0, or physostigmine (Phys) 0.15 mg.kg-1 obviously lengthened the SDL by 195%, 271%, and 210%, and shortened the EL by 56%, 61%, and 33%, and the two formers inhibited the brain AChE activities by 17% and 19%, respectively in aging (3-4 months) mice. These actions were decreased in a dose-dependent manner when Sub or Sub-DU was increased to 2.9-4.3 or 4.5-6.7 mg.kg-1 respectively. Sub 1.9, Sub-DU 2.0, and Phys 0.15 mg.kg-1 also lengthened the SDL by 187%, 209%, and 152%, and shortened the EL by 52%, 62%, and 57%, respectively in aged (12-14 months) mice. Sub 1.3-1.9, Sub-DU 0.9-2.0, or Phys 0.15 mg.kg-1 reversed the cycloheximide- or scopolamine-induced disruptions of memory retention. No obvious effect of N-CS on the acquisition of memory and the AChE activity in mice was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The improvements of Sub and Sub-DU on memory were chiefly related to their anti-AChE actions.
Peng
W D
WD
Department of Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Xu
S B
SB
Peng
X
X
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C049055:suberogorgin; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase