title: Cognitive Enhancing and Neuroprotective Effect of the Embryo of the Nelumbo nucifera Seed.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ENS on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine and its potential neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cell and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. ENS (3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and donepezil (1 mg/kg) were administered to mice during a test period. Scopolamine impaired memory and learning in a water maze test and a passive avoidance test. The neuroprotective effect of ENS (10 and 100 μg/mL) was investigated on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells by MTT assay. We investigated acetylcholinesterase inhibition in hippocampus and antioxidant activity, ROS levels, and Ca(2+) influx in HT22 cells to elucidate the potential mechanisms of ENS. We found that ENS significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment and inhibited AChE activity in hippocampus. In vitro, ENS showed potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in the HT22 cell. In addition, ENS induced a decrease in ROS production and intercellular Ca(2+) accumulation and showed DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging activity. In conclusion, ENS showed both a memory improving effect and a neuroprotective effect. Our results indicate that ENS may be of use in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Genetic Resources Utilization Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 404-708, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Sil
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kim
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: Biological and Genetic Resources Utilization Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Hwangyeong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon 404-708, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Oh
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