Anti-amnesic effect of Chong–Myung–Tang on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice

Aim of the studyChong–Myung–Tang (CMT) consisted of Acorus gramineus Soland, Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow, and Poria cocos Wolf is one of the traditional Korean herbal medicines used for the therapy of learning and memory improvement. The present study was investigated the effect of CMT on learning and memory functions in SCOP-induced memory deficits mice.Materials and methodsThe cognitive-enhancing effect of CMT on amnesic mice induced by SCOP was investigated by assessing the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. In order to confirm the underlying mechanisms of memory enhancing effects of CMT, activities of AChE, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and antioxidant enzymes were measured.ResultsAdministration of CMT significantly restored memory impairments induced by SCOP in the passive avoidance test and also reduced escape latency during trial sessions in the Morris water maze test. The increased AChE activity produced by SCOP was significantly inhibited by CMT. CMT significantly enhanced ChAT activity. Moreover, treatment with CMT to the amnesic mice induced by SCOP considerably decreased malondialdehyde levels and restored activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase to the control values.ConclusionsThese results suggest that CMT may be useful for the cognitive improvement via regulation of cholinergic marker enzyme activities and the antioxidant defense system.

Chong–Myung–Tang (CMT) is one of the traditional Korean herbal medicines used for the therapy of learning and memory improvement. The present study was investigated the effect of CMT on learning and memory functions in scopolamine (SCOP)-induced memory deficits mice. Treatment with CMT significantly inhibited AChE activity increased by SCOP. CMT was more effective to suppress AChE activity than tacrine (THA), an AChE inhibitor. CMT also significantly enhanced ChAT activity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide