Effect of aqueous antler extract on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and antioxidant activities

This study was performed to estimate ameliorating effect of aqueous antler extract (AAE) on memory impairments induced by scopolamine (SCOP, 2 mg/kg, i.p.). Tacrine (THA, 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a positive control. The passive avoidance test and Y-maze test results showed that a single AAE (200 mg/kg, p.o.) administration significantly restored memory impairment. Moreover, AAE or THA treatment significantly reduced the escape latency prolonged by SCOP during trial sessions in the Morris water maze test. In vivo study, AAE significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity ( p <0.001), whereas choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity ( p <0.05) was enhanced. In addition, SCOP elevated oxidative damage in the brain. However, treatment with AAE to the amnesic mice induced by SCOP considerably decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level ( p <0.01) and restored the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) ( p <0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) ( p <0.001) approaching the control values. These results suggest that AAE showed the potential cognitive-enhancing activity by regulating cholinergic marker enzyme activities and promoting the antioxidant system.