Extract from Fructus cannabis activating calcineurin improved learning and memory in mice with chemical drug-induced dysmnesia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of extract from Fructus cannabis (EFC) that can activate calcineurin on learning and memory impairment induced by chemical drugs in mice.


METHODS
Bovine brain calcineurin and calmodulin were isolated from frozen tissues. The activity of calcineurin was assayed using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) as the substrate. Step-down type passive avoidance test and water maze were used together to determine the effects of EFC on learning and memory dysfunction.


RESULTS
EFC activated calcineurin activity at a concentration range of 0.01-100 g/L. The maximal value of EFC on calcineurin activity (35 %+/-5 %) appeared at a concentration of 10 g/L. The chemical drugs such as scopolamine, sodium nitrite, and 45 % ethanol, and sodium pentobarbital induced learning and memory dysfunction. EFC administration (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/kg, igx7 d) prolonged the latency and decreased the number of errors in the step-down test. EFC, given for 7 d, enhanced the spatial resolution of amnesic mice in water maze test. EFC overcome amnesia of three stages of memory process at the dose of 0.2 g/kg.


CONCLUSIONS
EFC with an activation role of calcineurin can improve the impaired learning and memory induced by chemical drugs in mice.
Luo
Jing
J
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China. luojing1@vip.sina.com
Yin
Jiang-Hua
JH
Wu
He-Zhen
HZ
Wei
Qun
Q
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D051379:Mice; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012601:Scopolamine; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012601:Scopolamine; D019703:Calcineurin