Radix Angelica Sinensis extracts ameliorate scopolamine- and cycloheximide-induced amnesia, but not p-chloroamphetamine-induced amnesia in rats

Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):263-72. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X00000313.

Abstract

The effects of the methanolic extract of Radix Angelica Sinensis (Umbellifera) (abbreviated as RAS extract) and n-hexane fraction of RAS extract (RAS(H) fraction) on the various drugs-induced amnesia in rats were studied by using passive avoidance task. RAS extract (1 g/kg) significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by SCOP and CXM, but not PCA. Furthermore, RAS(H) fraction (1 g/kg) also significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by SCOP and CXM but not PCA. RAS extract at any dose alone did not influence the step-through latency in the training trial produced by non-shocked rats, but it plus PCA prolonged the latency compared with PCA alone. However, RAS(H) fraction (1 g/kg) prolonged the latency in the training trial produced by non-shocked rats, but it plus any induced drugs did not differ from any induced drugs alone. These results suggest that the attenuating effects of RAS extract on the various drugs-induced amnesia were related to the memory processes. n-Hexane fraction of RAS extract might be one of the active fractions of RAS extract in the treatment of amnesia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amnesia / chemically induced
  • Amnesia / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Apiaceae*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Cycloheximide / toxicity
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Scopolamine / toxicity
  • p-Chloroamphetamine / toxicity

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Plant Extracts
  • p-Chloroamphetamine
  • Cycloheximide
  • Scopolamine