The effects of melatonin and Ginkgo biloba extract on memory loss and choline acetyltransferase activities in the brain of rats infused intracerebroventricularly with beta-amyloid 1-40.

Abstract

Intraventricular infusion of rats with beta-amyloid for 14 days resulted in memory deficit in the water maze as well as decreases in choline acetyltransferase activities and somatostatin levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. These changes were not altered by daily intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/Kg melatonin. Orally administered Ginkgo biloba extract, however, partially reversed the memory deficit and the decrease in choline actyltransferase activities in the hippocampus. The latter treatment failed to reverse the decrease in somatostatin levels. The results indicate that orally administered Ginkgo biloba extract can protect the brain against beta-amyloid from changes leading to memory deficit through its effect on the cholinergic system.

• Authors: F Tang, S Nag, S Y W Shiu, S F Pang
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 71 Issue 22 Pg. 2625-31 (Oct 18 2002) ISSN: 0024-3205 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 12354581 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Amyloid beta-Peptides
• Antioxidants
• Peptide Fragments
• Plant Extracts
• amyloid beta-protein (1-40)
• Somatostatin
• Choline O-Acetyltransferase
• Melatonin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Amyloid beta-Peptides (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Animals
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Brain (drug effects, enzymology)
• Cerebral Cortex (drug effects, metabolism)
• Choline O-Acetyltransferase (metabolism)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Hippocampus (drug effects, metabolism)
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Injections, Intraventricular
• Male
• Maze Learning (drug effects)
• Melatonin (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Memory Disorders (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Peptide Fragments (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Somatostatin (metabolism)