title: Jujube promotes learning and memory in a rat model by increasing estrogen levels in the blood and nitric oxide and acetylcholine levels in the brain.
abstract: The aim of this study was to observe the effects of jujube on learning and memory in ovariectomized rats. The effects of jujube on learning and memory in ovariectomized rats were observed using the Morris water maze method. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and the brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels of the rats were determined. The results indicated that jujube reduced the latency period and increased the number of crossings made by the ovariectomized rats in the Morris water maze test. Jujube also increased the serum estrogen level, reduced the serum FSH and corpus luteum LH levels, increased brain NOS activity and reduced AChE activity. The results indicate that jujube promoted the learning and memory of the ovariectomized rats. This effect may be correlated with the increase in the estrogen level in the blood, and the changes in the nitric oxide and acetylcholine levels in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Baoli
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yongxian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yahui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhengxiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: choline acetyltransferase; cholinesterase; jujube; learning and memory; nitric oxide synthase