KD-501, a standardized extract of Scrophularia buergeriana have both cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities in mice given scopolamine

KD-501 is a standardized 70% ethanolic extract of Scrophularia buergeriana root containing phenyl propanoids and iridoids. The cognitive-enhancing activity of KD-501 on learning and memory deficits induced by scopolamine was evaluated by passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tests [1, 2]. Acute and prolonged oral administration of KD-501 significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia in passive avoidance test. Prolonged oral administration of KD-501 recovered the memory deficit by as much as 70% of the level found in normal control mice. In the Morris water maze test, acute and prolonged administration of KD-501 improved the impairment of spatial memory induced by scopolamine indicated by the formation of reference and working memories. The activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly inhibited by KD-501 within the cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, the reduced activities or contents of glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced GSH within the cortex and hippocampus caused by scopolamine were elevated by the treatment of KD-501 [3]. Taken together, it could be postulated that KD-501 may exert its potent cognitive-enhancing activity through both anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidative actions.

Acknowledgements: The Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (A050599).

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3. Zemlan, F.P. et al. (1989) Brain Res. 476: 160–162.