Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 74 (3), 261-266 (1997)


Effect of Long-Term Administration of Berberine on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Rats

Weng-Huang Peng, Ming-Tsuen Hsieh and Chi-Rei Wu


Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Medical College, 91, Hsueh Shih Road, Taichung, Taiwan

Abstract: The effect of berberine (BER) on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced amnesia was investigated in a step-through passive avoidance task in rats. It was observed that BER at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 g/kg after 7-day or 14-day administration significantly improved SCOP-induced amnesia. The anti-amnesic effect of BER after 14-day administration on the SCOP-induced amnesia was significantly augmented by physostigmine or neostigmine, and completely reversed by scopolamine N-methylbromide. These results suggest that the antiamnesic effect of BER after 14-day administration may be related to the increase in the peripheral and central cholinergic neuronal system activity.

Keywords: Berberine, Scopolamine, Passive avoidance


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1997

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