Beneficial Effects of Gagam-Palmultang on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits in Mice

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2018-01, Vol.2018 (2018), p.1-11
• Main Authors: Baek, Jin Ung, Park, So Hyun, Pak, Malk Eun, Kwon, Min Young, Kim, Yu Ri, Choi, Byung Tae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1-Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; Acetylcholinesterase; Aging; Alzheimer's disease; Animal cognition; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cell proliferation; Chemical compounds; Cholinergic transmission; Cognitive ability; Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein; Data mining; Dementia; Drug dosages; Enzymes; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Herbal medicine; Herbs; Hippocampus; Immunofluorescence; Immunoglobulins; Impairment; Kinases; Medicine; Memory; Mine wastes; Neurogenesis; Neurosciences; Protein binding; Proteins; Rodents; Scopolamine; Signal transduction
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/3479083

From text mining of Dongeuibogam, the 7 herbs in Palmultang can be considered effective candidates for memory enhancement. We sought to determine whether Gagam-Palmultang, comprising these 7 herbs, ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice, by focusing on the central cholinergic system and memory-related signaling molecules. Behavioral tests were performed after inducing memory impairment by scopolamine administration. The cholinergic system activity and memory-related molecules were examined in the hippocampus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent, western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. Gagam-Palmultang ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the Morris water maze test, producing a significant improvement in the mean time required to find the hidden platform. Treatment with Gagam-Palmultang reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and expression in the hippocampus induced by scopolamine. The diminished phosphorylated phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) expressions caused by scopolamine administration were attenuated by treatment with Gagam-Palmultang. This treatment also promoted neuronal cell proliferation in the hippocampus. Gagam-Palmultang has beneficial effects against scopolamine-induced memory impairments, which are exerted via modulation of the cholinergic system as well as the PI3K and ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. Therefore, this multiherb formula may be a useful therapeutic agent for diseases associated with memory impairments.