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Updated: May 17, 2026
Assessment of Memory Function in Pilocarpine-induced Epileptic Mice
Published on: June 4, 2020
[Mechanisms of Wuling mycelia powder on memory retrieval impairment in rats with chronic epilepsy]
Guangli Ren1, Guanfeng Chen, Lisan Zhang
1Department of Neurology, Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo 315000, China.
Objective:
To investigate the mechanisms of Wuling mycelia powder on memory retrieval impairment in rats with chronic epilepsy.
Method:
SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the pentylenetetrazole-kindling group (the model control group), the low dose of Wuling mycelia powder (0.3 g x kg(-1), ig) group, the high dose of Wuling mycelia powder (0.6 g x kg(-1), ig) group and the blank control group. After being successfully trained in the 8-arm (4-arm baited) radial maze, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with a subconvulsive dose (35 mg x kg(-1)) of pentylenetetrazole (saline in control group) every 48 h for 12 times. Wuling mycelia powder were orally administered 30 min before every pentylenetetrazole injection. Memory retrieval was tested at the same maze. Phosphorylated CREB were analyzed by Western blot. Brain pathological sections were stained using HE, hippocampal nerve cells were observed under optical microscopes.
Result:
Both of reference and working memory abilities of these chronic epilepsy rats were impaired as expressed in the 8-arm radial maze but reversed by Wuling mycelia powder to some extent. Chronic epilepsy caused a decreasing p-CREB in hippocampal nerve cells and injury in hippocampal CA1 region and CA3 region among rats. Wuling mycelia powder inhibited hippocampal p-CREB from decreasing and protected hippocampal nerve cells.
Conclusion:
Wuling mycelia powder could ameliorate memory impairment induced by epilepsia. Its mechanism may be related to the increase in p-CREB expression in brain and the protective effect on hippocampal nerve cells.
Insights
Wuling mycelia powder improved memory in epilepsy models by increasing phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and protecting hippocampal neurons. This natural compound offers potential for treating memory deficits associated with epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Context:
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder often associated with cognitive impairments, particularly memory deficits.
- Chronic epilepsy models in rats exhibit significant memory retrieval impairment.
- The hippocampus is a critical brain region involved in memory formation and is vulnerable to epileptic damage.
Purpose:
- To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of Wuling mycelia powder in mitigating memory retrieval impairment in a rat model of chronic epilepsy.
- To explore the effects of Wuling mycelia powder on hippocampal neuronal function and key molecular markers related to memory.
Summary:
- Wuling mycelia powder administration ameliorated memory impairment in pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy rats.
- The treatment increased phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) levels in hippocampal neurons, counteracting the decrease caused by epilepsy.
- Histopathological examination revealed that Wuling mycelia powder protected hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions from injury.
Impact:
- Wuling mycelia powder demonstrates potential as a neuroprotective agent for epilepsy-related memory dysfunction.
- The findings suggest that modulating p-CREB expression and preserving hippocampal integrity are key mechanisms of action.
- This research provides a scientific basis for the traditional use of Wuling mycelia powder in cognitive disorders.
