Decursin from Angelica gigas mitigates amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice.
We previously reported that a total methanolic extract of the underground part of Angelica gigas Nakai (Umbelliferae) (here-in-after abbreviated AG) significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. We characterized 12 coumarin derivatives including both decursin and decursinol from extracts of AG. In this study, we evaluated the anti-amnestic activity of decursin, a major coumarin constituent isolated from AG, in vivo using ICR mice with amnesia induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.). Decursin, when administered to mice at 1 and 5 mg/kg body weight i.p., significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia as measured in both the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. Moreover, decursin significantly inhibited AChE activity by 34% in the hippocampus of treated mice. These results indicate that decursin may exert anti-amnestic activity in vivo through inhibition of AChE activity in the hippocampus.
Kang
So Young
SY
College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Kwanak-Gu San 56-1, Shillim-Dong, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Ki Yong
KY
Park
Mi Jung
MJ
Kim
Young Chul
YC
Markelonis
George J
GJ
Oh
Tae H
TH
Kim
Young Choong
YC
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D029969:Angelica; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D002087:Butyrates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012601:Scopolamine
D001578:Benzopyrans; D002087:Butyrates; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012601:Scopolamine; C101278:decursin; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase