Improving effects of SSF on memory deficits and pathological changes of neural and immunological systems in senescent mice.

AIM: To study the effects of SSF, an effective part isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis George, on memory impairments and the pathological changes of neural and immunological systems in senescent mice induced by chronic galactose.
METHODS: Senescent performance in mice was induced by consecutive administration of D-galactose (120 mg/kg, ip) for 47 d. The behavioral tests of mice used water maze task. The neural and immunological changes were assessed by alterations of cerebral cortex morphology and immune tissue index. The improving effects of SSF (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, ig, 47 d) on above changes in the senescent mice were detected. Piracetam (PIR) was as reference drug.
RESULTS: D-Galactose (120 mg/kg, ip, 47 d) resulted in an increase in the latencies to find the terminal platform and the number of errors entering non-exits in water maze, neuropathological changes and immune tissue index (spleen index) deducted in mice as compared with saline treated group. Both PIR (200 mg/kg, ig, 47 d) and SSF (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, ig, 47 d) could significantly reverse the increased latencies and number of errors and improve the pathological alterations of neural and immunological systems.
CONCLUSION: SSF could ameliorate the cognitive deficits and pathological alterations of neuron and immune systems in senescent mice induced by chronic galactose.