Gluco-obtusifolin and its aglycon, obtusifolin, attenuate scopolamine-induced memory impairment.
In the present study, we assessed the effects of gluco-obtusifolin, isolated from the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia L., and its aglycone, obtusifolin, on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine using the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks in mice. Gluco-obtusifolin (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, p.o.) and obtusifolin (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test (P<0.05). Moreover, gluco-obtusifolin (2 mg/kg, p.o.) and obtusifolin (0.5 mg/kg, p.o.) improved escape latencies, swimming times in the target quadrant, and crossing numbers in the zone where the platform previously existed in the Morris water maze test. In the acetylcholinesterase assay, gluco-obtusifolin and obtusifolin were found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in vitro (IC(50) = 37.2 and 18.5 microM, respectively) and ex vivo. These results suggest that gluco-obtusifolin and its aglycone may be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, and that its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by the enhancement of cholinergic signaling.
Kim
Dong Hyun
DH
Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun
Sook Kyung
SK
Yoon
Byung Hoon
BH
Seo
Ji-Hyung
JH
Lee
Kyung-Tae
KT
Cheong
Jae Hoon
JH
Jung
Seo Yun
SY
Jin
Changbae
C
Choi
Jae Sue
JS
Ryu
Jong Hoon
JH
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002366:Cassia / Q000737:chemistry; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005960:Glucosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013550:Swimming
D000880:Anthraquinones; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005960:Glucosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C546708:gluco-obtusifolin; C546709:obtusifolin; D012601:Scopolamine