Sulforaphane alleviates scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice.
Sulforaphane, an organosulfur compound present in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in experimental in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegeneration. To determine whether sulforaphane can preserve cognitive function, we examined its effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice using the Morris water maze test. Sulforaphane (10 or 50mg/kg) was administered to C57BL/6 mice by oral gavage for 14 days (days 1-14), and memory impairment was induced by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (1mg/kg) for 7 days (days 8-14). Mice that received scopolamine alone showed impaired learning and memory retention and considerably decreased cholinergic system reactivity in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, as indicated by a decreased acetylcholine (ACh) level and an increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Sulforaphane significantly attenuated the scopolamine-induced memory impairment and improved cholinergic system reactivity, as indicated by an increased ACh level, decreased AChE activity, and increased choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. These effects of sulforaphane on cholinergic system reactivity were confirmed in vitro. Sulforaphane (10 or 20μM) increased the ACh level, decreased the AChE activity, and increased ChAT expression in scopolamine-treated primary cortical neurons. These observations suggest that sulforaphane might exert a significant neuroprotective effect on cholinergic deficit and cognitive impairment.
WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Siyoung
S
Lee
WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Jisung
J
Kim
WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea; Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 443-270, Republic of Korea.
Sang Gwon
SG
Seo
Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
Bo-Ryoung
BR
Choi
Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
Jung-Soo
JS
Han
WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea; Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea; Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 443-270, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Bio Food Industry, Institute of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 232-916, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kiwon@snu.ac.kr.
Ki Won
KW
Lee
Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Toxicology, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jiyoungkim1107@snu.ac.kr.
Jiyoung
J
Kim
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012601:Scopolamine; D013454:Sulfoxides
D017879:Isothiocyanates; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013454:Sulfoxides; D012601:Scopolamine; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; C016766:sulforaphane; D000109:Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine; Acetylcholinesterase; Choline acetyltransferase; Memory; Sulforaphane