Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Aronia melanocarpa Extract against Memory Impairment Induced by Scopolamine in Mice

Abstract EN

Aronia melanocarpa (A.

melanocarpa) berries are a fruit with a marked antioxidant effect.

The objective of this study was to confirm the effect of A.

melanocarpa berries extract against scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test.

Moreover, we determined a possible mechanism of the cognitive-enhancing effect involving AChE activity and BDNF and p-CREB expression in the hippocampus of mice.

A.

melanocarpa berries extract attenuated the learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine in the Morris water maze (79.3 ± 0.8 s of 200 mg/kg and 64.4 ± 10.7 s of 400 mg/kg on day 4) and passive avoidance tests (46.0 ± 41.1 s of 200 mg/kg and 25.6 ± 18.7 s of 400 mg/kg).

A.

melanocarpa berries extract reduced the acetylcholinesterase level in the hippocampus of scopolamine-injected mice and increased BDNF and p-CREB expression in the hippocampus.

The major compound, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, also reversed memory impairment.

These results showed that A.

melanocarpa berries extract improved memory impairment by inhibiting AChE and increasing BDNF and p-CREB expression, and cyanidin-3-O-galactoside may be responsible for the effect of A.

melanocarpa berries extract.