- Academic Editor
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†These authors contributed equally.
Background: Cycloheximide (CXM), an antifungal antibiotic, causes
impaired memory consolidation as a side effect partially by disturbing the
activities of the central catecholaminergic and cholinergic system. Some reports
indicated that puerarin prevented memory impairment in various models in rodents.
However, the protective effects of puerarin on the side effects of cycloheximide
for memory consolidation impairment have not yet been investigated.
Methods: The protective effects of puerarin on CXM-induced
memory-consolidation impairment, and memory impairment produced by central
administration of AF64A neurotoxin, were investigated using a passive avoidance
task in rats. A combination of transmitter receptor agonists and antagonists was
used to explore the effects of puerarin on nervous system function. The activity
of antioxidant defense systems and neurotransmitter systems in the prefrontal
cortex and hippocampus were assayed. Results: Systemic (25 and 50 mg/kg,
i.p.) or central (5 and 10 µg/brain, i.c.v.) administration of puerarin
attenuated CXM-induced memory-consolidation impairment produced by 1.5 mg/kg CXM
(s.c.) in rats. The improvements produced by 50 mg/kg puerarin were blocked by
cholinergic antagonists, a 5-HT