The Effects ofLoranthus parasiticuson Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Abstract

This study is undertaken to evaluate cognitive enhancing effect and neuroprotective effect ofLoranthus parasiticus. Cognitive enhancing effect ofLoranthus parasiticuswas investigated on scopolamine-induced amnesia model in Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. We also examined the neuroprotective effect on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells by MTT assay. These results of Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test indicated that 10 and 50 mg/kg ofLoranthus parasiticusreversed scopolamine-induced memory deficits.Loranthus parasiticusalso protected against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells. As a result ofin vitrotest for elucidating possible mechanism,Loranthus parasiticusinhibited AChE activity, ROS production, and Ca2+accumulation.Loranthus parasiticusshowed memory enhancing effect and neuroprotective effect and these effects may be related to inhibition of AChE activity, ROS level, and Ca2+influx.