• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-113
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• 2009

Objectives This study was investigated to find how the orally administrated Moschus, herbal combination with Moschus, and herbal combination improves the rats' memory and rats' liver. These medications are generally known asthe memory improvement. Methods This study used the Sprague Dawley rats. They were divided into two groups - SD rats and orally administrated Saline(Control group). 0.473 mg/kg Moschus(HM-A), 153.9 mg/kg herbal composition without Moschus(HM-B), and 165.95 mg/kg herbal composition with Moschus combined(HM-C) Control, saline were orally administered. Each group was trained in the eight-arm radial maze task at the conditions of before oral administrated, and also right after third, sixth, and eighth by oral administration. Lastly, these animals were killed and were tested for brain tissue and serum AST/ALT level to measure how the medications were effected to the liver function. Results The result of radial eight-arm maze task test, the HM-B and HM-C groups showed significant decrease in mistakes from the fourth day of testing. Whereas, the HM-A group showed increasing in the error rate. HM-A and HM-C group of rats had significantly increased amount of acetylcholinesterase in the CA1 region of hippocampus, compared to the control group. Whereas, HM-B and HM-C group had increased level of ChAT compared to the control group. On the other hand, each experimental group did not show any significant difference to the level of serum AST/ALT and the weight ratio of the liver to the body. Conclusions This study provided evidences that the orally administered memory improvement herbal medication, and Moschus were effective to improve memory.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.211-219
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• 2016

Background: Panax ginseng root is used in traditional oriental medicine for human health. Its main active components such as saponins and polysaccharides have been widely evaluated for treating diseases, but secondary active components such as oligosaccharides have been rarely studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of water-soluble ginseng oligosaccharides (WGOS), which were isolated from the warm-water extract of Panax ginseng root, on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice and its antineuroinflammatory mechanisms. Methods: We investigated the impact of WGOS on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice by using Morris water maze and novel object recognition task. We also analyzed the impact of WGOS on scopolamine-induced inflammatory response (e.g., the hyperexpression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 and astrocyte activation) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical staining. Results: WGOS pretreatment protected against scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze and in the novel object recognition task. Furthermore, WGOS pretreatment downregulated scopolamine-induced hyperexpression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA and astrocyte activation in the hippocampus. These results indicate that WGOS can protect against scopolamine-induced alterations in learning and memory and inflammatory response. Conclusion: Our data suggest that WGOS may be beneficial as a medicine or functional food supplement to treat disorders with cognitive deficits and increased inflammation.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-amnesic effects of AR, Aucklandiae Radix, ground powder on scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory impairment in mice (C57BL/6) through its favorable acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA expression, and antioxidant effect. Methods: Six groups, a total of 20 intact or 100 Sco treated mice, were selected based on their body weights and were used in this study. Half of the mice in each group were used for the passive avoidance task test and the measurements of hippocampus ACh content, AChE activity and ChAT mRNA expression. The remaining half of the mice in each group were used for the Morris water maze test and cerebral antioxidant defense system measurement. Results: Marked decreases in step-through latency times in the passive avoidance task test and increases in escape latency times in the Morris water maze test were observed with decreases in the hippocampus ACh content and ChAT mRNA expression, and increases in the hippocampal AChE activities, as a result of Sco intraperitoneal treatment, in the present study. In addition, destruction of the cerebral cortex antioxidant defense systems was observed in Sco control mice as compared with intact vehicle control mice. However, 28 days of continuous oral pre-treatment with AR ground powder at doses of 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg markedly and dose-dependently inhibited the Sco treatment-related amnesia. Conclusions: The results prove that oral administration of AR ground powder reduces Sco-induced memory impairment. This is because it can preserve ACh, related to ChAT mRNA expression, cause AChE inhibition, and activate the cerebral antioxidant defense system.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2017

Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahl. (Compositae) has been used as an anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer agent in the clinic. Although its antidepressant effect has been reported, however, its cognitive function is not investigated until yet. In the present study, we investigated whether the water extract of T. platycarpum (WETP) could improve cognitive function in cholinergic blockade-induced amnesia mouse model using the passive avoidance or Y-maze task. WETP (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment both in the passive avoidance test and the Y-maze test. In addition, WETP significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity measured by an ex vivo study using the mouse whole brain. These results suggest that WETP alleviates the cognitive dysfunction caused by the cholinergic blockade, in part, via AChE inhibition, and that it may be a useful for treating cognitive dysfunction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.434-440
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• 2005

This study was conducted to find out the effect of Bojungikgitanggamibang(BIT) on growth, learning and memory of rats. The effects of BIT on learning and memory performance were examined in normal or memory impaired mice by using water maze task. Memory was impaired by 192 saporin. Body weight and growth of bone and tail of sample group were not significant compared with those of control groups. Acquisition test of water maze revealed that acqusitive ability of sample group significantly improved on 4,5th day compared with control group, while retentive ability of sample group was not significant. ChAT cell numbers of medial septum of sample group was significant compared with control group, and so was those of CA1, CA2 parts of hippocampus. On ChAT cell numbers of hippocampus, in CA2 part. These results suggest that BIT has an improving effect on the impaired learning through the effects on memory registration and retrieval.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2009

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of Yukmijihwangtang on cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory impairment by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Methods: The ability of learning and memory of rats was measured using the eight-arm radial maze and the passive avoidance test, and profile of cholinergic neuron was assessed in the medial septum and hippocampus region by immuno-histochemistry. Results: 1. No differences were found between groups in the number of correct choices in acquisition performance during the eight-arm radial maze task. 2. No differences were found between groups on day 1 in the error rate in acquisition performance, which is defined as the number of enters into the same arm more than once within five minutes. After 5 to 6 days of test, the number of errors was significantly reduced in the Yukmijihwangtang group (forebrain ischemia group with Yukmijihwangtang treatment), compared with the ischemia group. 3. The memory processes significantly improved in the Yukmijihwangtang group according to results of the passive avoidance test. 4. The appearance of AchE (acetylcholinesterase) in the CA1 region of hippocampus significantly decreased in the ischemia group, compared with the sham group (untreated group). The appearance of AchE in the same region significantly increased in the Yukmijihwangtang group, compared with the ischemia group. 5. The appearance of ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and medial septum decreased in the ischemia group, compared with the sham group. The appearance of ChAT in the same region significantly increased in the Yukmijihwangtang group, compared with the ischemia group Conclusions: This study provides evidence that Yukmijihwangtang is effective for reviving the ability of learning and memory and damaged neurons in rats with experimental cerebral ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2002

Learning and memory are essential requirements for every living organism in order to cope with environmental demands, and cholinergic systems are known to be involved in learning and memory. Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Gastrodia elata (GE) as a traditional Oriental medicine have been clinically used to treat or prevent memory deficits, including Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SB and GE on learning and memory in the Morris water maze task and the central cholinergic system of the rats with excitotoxic medial septum lesions. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform at a fixed position over 6 days and then received a 60-s probe trial in which the platform was removed from the pool on the 7th day. Ibotenic lesion of the medial septum (MS) impaired their performance in the maze test (latency of acquisition test on the 3rd day, $27.6{\pm}$4.4 sec vs. $61.7{\pm}17.7$ sec; retention test, $7.9{\pm}1.3%$ vs. $5.7{\pm}1.0%$: sharn vs. ibotenic lesioned groups, respectively) and reduced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) - immunoreactivity in the MS and the hippocarnpus, which is a marker for degeneration of the central cholinergic system (number of cells, $21.1{\pm}1.1$ vs. $13.2{\pm}1.3$: sham vs. ibotenic lesioned group). Daily administrations of SB (100mg/kg, p.o.) and GE (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 consecutive days produced significant reversals of ibotenic acid-induced deficit in learning and memory. These treatments also reduced the loss of cholinergic immunoreactivity in the MS and the hippocarnpus induced by ibotenic acid. These results demonstrated that SB and GE ameliorated learning and memory deficits through effects on the central nervous system, partly through effect on the acetylcholine system. Our studies suggest an evidence of SB and GE as treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 1998

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the effects od Sahyangsohapwon on learning and memory of rats.Method: In the experiment, rats were divided two groups. One was control group which was adminstered Sahyangsohapwon and the other was sample group administered placebo. Numbers of each group were 13 rats. 8-arm radial maze task was used in it, and working memory test and retention(reference memory) test were done.Before the beginning of the test, the rats were deprived of water for 24hrs.In the frist test, each of eight arm was baited with water and a rat was permitted to remain on the maze until all eight arms were entered. A working memory error was defined as revisit of any previously entered arm. When a rat made an error not exceeding one time in consecutive 3 days-performance, it was regarded as learning criteria and the test was ended. The reference memory was evaluated with total days which it took rats to pass the learning crtirtia.The second test was performed after 24 hours when the first test was over. When a rat entered 4 arms, the entrance of arm was cut off during 30 seconds.Here the number if errors which was produced during a rat find remaining 4 tracks was regarded as the index of memory.This experiment compared the number of error at the control group with that of the sample group.Result: 1. In the first test, it was shown that the sample group took 7.69${\pm}$1.11 days and the control group 9.31${\pm}$1.97 days to pass the learning criteria.There was statistically significant reference mernory development at the sample group.2. In the second test, the frequency of errors made by the two groups were 0.92${\pm}$1.32 times for the control group and 1.23${\pm}$1.59 times for the Sahyangsohapwon group. There was no difference between the groups in frequency of errors.Conclusion: It is suggested that Sahyangsohapwon has effects on the improvement of learning and memory.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.153-171
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• 2007

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Gagambosim-Tang(GBT) of focal brain ischemic injury induced by intraluminal filament insertion in the rats. Method : The ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament insertion into middle cerebral artery Eight-arm radial maze was designed for the behavioral task. Gagambosim-Tang was orally administrated in SD rats for 21 days. The task was started on the 4th week after focal brain injury, and performed two trials per day for 6days. The effects of Gagambosim-Tang on neuroprotective agents in cresyl violet, choline acetyltranferase(ChAT), nerve growth factor (NGF)-stain and c-Fos with ischemic injury were investigated. Results : The errors in the eight-arm radial maze task were significantly decreased in normal group compared with control group on 2-6days, GBT lX(42.2 mg/ml)orally administrated group on 1days, GBT 6X(253.2 mg/ml) on 3, 5, 6days. The rate of correct choice was increased in normal and GBT 6X groups. The neuroprotective effect in the hippocampal CA1 was increased in normal and GBT 1X, GBT 6X groups compared with control group. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was increased in normal and GBT6X groups compared with control group. The density of NGF in the hippocampal CA1 was increased normal and GBT6X groups compared with control group. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 was increased in normal and GBT 6X groups compared with control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Gagambosim-Tang may have protective effect on dementia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2017

Objectives: We investigated the effect of acupuncture on memory function in relation with neurogenesis in old rats. Methods: In this study, a step-down avoidance task for short-term memory and Y-maze task for spatial memory capability were conducted. Western blot analysis for brain-derived neurotorphic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), and immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) were performed. Results: Short-term memory and spatial memories were decreased in the old-aged rats. Expressions of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the old-aged rats. Neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was also decreased in the old-aged rats. However, acupuncture treatment alleviated impairment of short-term and spatial memories induced by ageing. Acupuncture also increased the expressions of BDNF and TrkB and enhanced neurogenesis in the hippocampus. The present study showed that acupuncture alleviated ageing-induced short-term and spatial memory loss by increasing of BDNF and neurogenesis. Acupuncture at ST41-acupoint showed most potent effect than at ST36-acupoint or non-acupoint. Conclusions: Acupuncture might be used as the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the age-related decrease of brain functions.