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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Neurobehavioral Assessments in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury
Published on: November 24, 2017
Protective effect of polydatin on learning and memory impairments in neonatal rats with hypoxic‑ischemic brain injury
Jin Sun1, Yunxia Qu2, Huiming He1
1Hospital of Maternal and Child Health of Dalian, Dalian, Liaoning 116033, P.R. China.
Insights
Polydatin, found in Polygonum cuspidatum, protects against learning and memory deficits in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI). This effect is linked to increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
Background:
- Polydatin is a bioactive compound from Polygonum cuspidatum.
- Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) in neonates causes significant learning and memory impairment.
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neuronal survival and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of polydatin against HIBI-induced learning and memory deficits in neonatal rats.
- To explore the potential mechanism involving BDNF upregulation.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation to induce HIBI.
- Y-maze testing was employed to assess learning and memory performance.
- Hippocampal BDNF expression levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Rats with HIBI demonstrated significant memory impairment.
- Polydatin treatment improved long-term learning and memory in HIBI rats.
- Polydatin administration led to increased hippocampal BDNF expression in HIBI rats.
Conclusions:
- Polydatin exhibits a protective effect against HIBI-induced learning and memory impairment in neonatal rats.
- The neuroprotective mechanism of polydatin may involve the upregulation of BDNF.
- Polydatin represents a potential therapeutic agent for neonatal brain injury.
Abstract:
Polydatin is a key component of Polygonum cuspidatum, a herb with medical and nutritional value. The present study investigated the protective effect of polydatin against learning and memory impairment in neonatal rats with hypoxic‑ischemic brain injury (HIBI). The unilateral common carotid artery ligation method was used to generate neonatal HIBI rats. Y‑maze testing revealed that rats with HIBI exhibited memory impairment, while rats with HIBI treated with polydatin displayed enhanced long‑term learning and memory. Of note, polydatin was found to upregulate the expression of hippocampal brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats with HIBI. BDNF has a role in protecting HIBI‑induced brain tissue injury and alleviating memory impairment. These findings showed that polydatin had a protective effect against learning and memory impairment in neonatal rats with HIBI and that the protective effect may be mediated through the upregulation of BDNF.
