PURPOSE: High brain levels of aluminum (Al) can be neurotoxic and cause learning and memory deficits. Gastrodia elata (GE) is a Chinese herb widely used for improving mental function in traditional Chinese medicine. We measured changes in Al-induced neurotransmitter alteration and performance on a learning and memory task to elucidate the mechanism of Al toxicity and to assess whether these alterations could be attenuated by GE. METHODS: Thirty-six adult, male rats were randomly divided into six groups. Four Al-exposed groups were given aluminum chloride at 5 mg/kg/day or 10 mg/kg/day (i.p.) for two months, with two of these groups (one for each dose of Al) receiving GE (0.4 g/kg, via oral intubation, with the GE powder mixed in the drinking water) while the other two groups received vehicle. A GE control group was given injections of saline plus GE and a saline control group was given injections of saline and with 3 injection days and one day off. A step-down test was used to measure learning and memory ability. Al concentrations in the neocortex were assayed with a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the neocortex were determined by high performance liquid chromatogram-fluorescence. RESULTS: Al-exposed rats showed impaired learning and memory ability as indicated by shorter step down latency and more retention errors. Cortical concentrations (mean +/- SEM) of Al were: 56.22 +/- 34.10 ng/g (wet weight) in the Saline control group; 172.87 +/- 111.06 in the 5 mg/kg/dayAl group; 289.15 +/- 102.55 in the 10 mg Al group; 74.98 +/- 19.00 in the GE control group; 232.55 +/- 35.74 in 5 mg Al+GE group; and 291.35 98.38 in 10 mg Al+GE group respectively. Al exposure produced a significant increase in cortical GABA levels. Gastrodia elata reduced learning and memory deficits without affecting brain Al levels. CONCLUSIONS: Rats exposed to AlCl_{3} suffer from deficits in learning and memory, accompanied by increases in GABA levels in the neocortex. Gastrodia elata is effective in improving memory functions and normalizing GABA levels.
PURPOSE: High brain levels of aluminum (Al) can be neurotoxic and cause learning and memory deficits. Gastrodia elata (GE) is a Chinese herb widely used for improving mental function in traditional Chinese medicine. We measured changes in Al-induced neurotransmitter alteration and performance on a learning and memory task to elucidate the mechanism of Altoxicity and to assess whether these alterations could be attenuated by GE. METHODS: Thirty-six adult, male rats were randomly divided into six groups. Four Al-exposed groups were given aluminum chloride at 5 mg/kg/day or 10 mg/kg/day (i.p.) for two months, with two of these groups (one for each dose of Al) receiving GE (0.4 g/kg, via oral intubation, with the GE powder mixed in the drinking water) while the other two groups received vehicle. A GE control group was given injections of saline plus GE and a saline control group was given injections of saline and with 3 injection days and one day off. A step-down test was used to measure learning and memory ability. Al concentrations in the neocortex were assayed with a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the neocortex were determined by high performance liquid chromatogram-fluorescence. RESULTS:Al-exposed rats showed impaired learning and memory ability as indicated by shorter step down latency and more retention errors. Cortical concentrations (mean +/- SEM) of Al were: 56.22 +/- 34.10 ng/g (wet weight) in the Saline control group; 172.87 +/- 111.06 in the 5 mg/kg/dayAl group; 289.15 +/- 102.55 in the 10 mg Al group; 74.98 +/- 19.00 in the GE control group; 232.55 +/- 35.74 in 5 mg Al+GE group; and 291.35 98.38 in 10 mg Al+GE group respectively. Al exposure produced a significant increase in cortical GABA levels. Gastrodia elata reduced learning and memory deficits without affecting brain Al levels. CONCLUSIONS:Rats exposed to AlCl_{3} suffer from deficits in learning and memory, accompanied by increases in GABA levels in the neocortex. Gastrodia elata is effective in improving memory functions and normalizing GABA levels.
Authors: Linda Moretti Ojemann; Wendel L Nelson; Donella S Shin; Ann Ojemann Rowe; Robert A Buchanan Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2006-02-07 Impact factor: 2.937
Authors: E-J Shin; J-H Bach; T-T L Nguyen; B-D Jung; K-W Oh; M J Kim; C G Jang; S F Ali; S K Ko; C H Yang; H-C Kim Journal: Curr Neuropharmacol Date: 2011-03 Impact factor: 7.363