Effects of Bushen Huoxue formula on the learning and memory function and the cerebral neurotransmitters in diabetic mice.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of Bushen Huoxue Formula (Formula for reinforcing the kidney and activating blood circulation) on the learning and memory function and the cerebral neurotransmitters in diabetic mice.


METHODS
Forty ICR mice were randomized into the normal control group, model group, Nimotop group and Chinese medicine group, 10 mice in each group. Tail intravenous injection of alloxan was applied to prepare diabetic model. Four weeks later, intragastric administration of Bushen Huoxue Formula for the Chinese medicine group, Nimotop for the Nimotop group, and isometric distilled water for the other two groups were respectively given for 8 weeks. The changes in the blood sugar level were observed; the learning and memory function was detected by Morris labyrinth test; and the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxyltryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyl indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebral cortex were determined in mice of all the groups.


RESULTS
The blood sugar levels in the diabetic model mice significantly increased as compared with those of the normal control group determined 72 h and 12 weeks later (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Latencies for Morris labyrinth test in the Nimotop group and the Chinese medicine group were significantly shortened as compared with that in the model group (P < 0.01). The contents of cortical NE in the Chinese medicine group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Bushen Huoxue Formula can improve the learning and memory function in the diabetic mice, and the mechanism is possibly related with change of the cortical NE content.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
Guo-Qing
GQ
Tian
He-Qi
HQ
Lu
Sai-Shan
SS
Guo
Ling
L
Zhang
Sha-Sha
SS
Fan
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C527851:bushen huoxue