[Effects of new constituents L-6a and L-10 from leaves of Luffa cylinderica on learning, memory, and hippocampal somatostatin in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of two constituents L-6a and L-10 from the leaves of Luffa cylinderica Roem on learning, memory, and hippocampal somatostatin in rats.


METHODS
The learning and memory in rats were determined using the passive avoidance response of shuttle-box, by i.c.v. Somatostatin in hippocampus was determined with immunohistochemical and images analyses.


RESULTS
L-6a 25 micrograms raised memory-keeping activity (P < 0.05) in rats. L-6a 25 micrograms increased the surface density and number density of somatostatin-like immureactant (Som-LI) (P < 0.05). L-10 25 and 50 micrograms increased the surface density and number density of Som-LI (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
L-6a 25 micrograms enhanced memory-keeping activity and increased the surface density and number density of Som-LI in rats. L-10 shows a tendency to enhance memory-keeping activity but no evident, but it increases the surface density and number density of Som-LI.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism*