title: Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Steamed and Fermented Codonopsis lanceolata: A Behavioral and Biochemical Study.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory impairment. Codonopsis lanceolata (C. lanceolata) has been employed clinically for lung inflammatory diseases such as asthma, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fermented C. lanceolata (300, 500, and 800 mg/kg) on learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine by using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. To elucidate possible mechanism of cognitive-enhancing activity, we measured acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) expression in the brain of mice. Administration of fermented C. lanceolata (800 mg/kg) led to reduced scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Accordingly, the administration of fermented C. lanceolata inhibited AchE activity. Interestingly, the level of CREB phosphorylation and BDNF expression in hippocampal tissue of scopolamine-treated mice was significantly increased by the administration of fermented C. lanceolata. These results indicate that fermented C. lanceolata can ameliorate scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mouse and may be an alternative agent for the treatment of AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2 Dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Bae
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Weon
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2 Dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bo-Ra
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2 Dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jiwoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2 Dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Rye
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Jeong
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3844-928X
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Teaics, Seowon University, Cheongju 361-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Functional Food & Nutrition Division, Department of Agrofood Resources, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-853, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Sik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Newtree Co., Ltd., 11F Tech Center, SKnTechno Park 190-1, Sungnam 462-120, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Newtree Co., Ltd., 11F Tech Center, SKnTechno Park 190-1, Sungnam 462-120, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2 Dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea ; Research Institute of Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Choong Je
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ma