Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine (동의생리병리학회지)

The Physiological Society of Korean Medicine and The Society of Pathology in Korean Medicine (대한동의생리학회·한의병리학회)
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Memory Enhancing Effects of Gastrodia elata Extract in a Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficit Model

Scopolamine 유발 기억장애 모델에서 천마 추출물의 기억력 개선 효과

  • Han Byeol Choi (Department of Physiology, School of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Sang Yun Han (Department of Physiology, School of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Ryeo Won Kim (Department of Physiology, School of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Cheolhwan Yoon (Department of Physiology, School of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Chang Su Kim (Jeonbuk State Agricultural Research & Extension Services) ;
  • Eun Suk Lee (Jeonbuk State Agricultural Research & Extension Services) ;
  • Kang Beom Kwon (Department of Physiology, School of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd.)
  • 최한별 (원광대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실 및 (주)일원바이오) ;
  • 한상윤 (원광대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실 및 (주)일원바이오) ;
  • 김려원 (원광대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실 및 (주)일원바이오) ;
  • 윤철환 (원광대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실 및 (주)일원바이오) ;
  • 김창수 (전북특별자치도 농업기술원) ;
  • 이은숙 (전북특별자치도 농업기술원) ;
  • 권강범 (원광대학교 한의과대학 생리학교실 및 (주)일원바이오)
  • Received : 2025.11.28
  • Accepted : 2025.12.08
  • Published : 2025.12.25
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Abstract

Gastrodia elata (GE), a traditional medicinal herb rich in gastrodin, is known for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of standardized GE extract on scopolamine-induced memory impairment and its underlying mechanisms. Various concentrations of GE extract administration significantly improved learning and memory performance in the Morris Water Maze and Barnes Maze tests. GE extract also reduced hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity elevated by scopolamine, restored BDNF(Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) expression and CREB(Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding protein) phosphorylation, and normalized MAPK(Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) signaling through decreased ERK(Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase) and JNK(c-Jun N-terminal Kinase) activation. GE extracts also suppressed scopolamine-induced increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines. These effects were most prominent in the GE200(200mg/kg GE extracts) and GE500(500mg/kg GE extracts) groups and were comparable to donepezil. These findings suggest that Gastrodia elata extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits through cholinergic enhancement, neuroplasticity support, MAPK regulation, and anti-inflammatory actions.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 지역특화기술개발연구사업(과제번호: RS-2025-05192968)의 지원을 받아 수행되었음.

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