title: Gomisin A improves scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.
abstract: Gomisin A is a component of the fruits of Schizandra chinesis which are widely used as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we assessed the effect of gomisin A on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine. The cognition-enhancing effect of gomisin A was investigated using a passive avoidance test, the Y-maze test, and the Morris water maze test in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by treating animals with scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Gomisin A (5 mg/kg, p.o.) administration significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice by the passive avoidance test and the Y-maze test (P<0.05), and also improved escape latency in the Morris water maze test at 5 mg/kg (P<0.05). Moreover, in an in vitro study, gomisin A was found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value; 15.5 microM). These results suggest that gomisin A may be a useful cognitive impairment treatment, and its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, via enhancing the cholinergic nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, #1 Hoeki-dong, Dongdeamoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tran Manh
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ki Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Ji Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Seungjoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung Hoon
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jae Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Kwang Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Jong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ryu
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D034242:Cyclooctanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004149:Dioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D017705:Lignans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D034242:Cyclooctanes; D004149:Dioxoles; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017705:Lignans; C033585:schizandrol B; D012601:Scopolamine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase