The effects of Zibu Piyin Recipe components on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in the mouse

ZiBuPiYin recipe ameliorates diabetes-associated cognitive decline by improving neuronal mitochondrial function in chronic psychologically stressed zucker diabetic fatty rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound composed of 12 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines including red ginseng and yam. Long-term basic and clinical applications have proved that ZBPYR can prevent and treat cognitive dysfunction. Previous studies showed that chronic psychological stress can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and lead to cognitive decline. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in chronic psychological stress-induced diabetes mellitus. While the mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) is unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our previous research found that a ZiBuPiYin recipe (ZBPYR) has significant pharmacological effects against DACD. The present study investigated changes in mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain and the mechanism of insulin resistance and mitochondrial damage to explore the relationship between neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in chronic psychologically stressed DACD rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with spontaneous T2DM and rats with diabetic cognitive impairment that was induced by chronic psychological stress were used in in vivo experiments. PC12 cells that were damaged by rotenone were used for the in vitro experiment.

RESULTS

The findings indicated that the number of mitochondria decreased, morphology and membrane potential were damaged, and reactive oxygen species increased in the cortex and hippocampus in psychologically stressed DACD rats. Protein kinase Cβ2 (PKCβ2) activation and insulin resistance were markedly induced by chronic psychological stress, together with decreases in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial fusion protein 2 (Mfn2). Furthermore, ZBPYR exerted protective effects both in in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Mitochondrial damage and insulin resistance were observed in the brain in chronic psychologically stressed DACD rats. The ZBPYR significantly improved brain mitochondrial damage and insulin resistance in chronic psychologically stressed DACD rats. These results provide novel insights for the development of ZBPYR as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic psychological stress and DACD.

Mechanism and Active Components of Qingre Lidan Tablets Alleviate Intrahepatic Cholestasis by Activating the Farnesoid X Receptor

Background

Qingre Lidan tablets (QLTs) are a compound preparation of Chinese medicine that have long been used clinically to treat poor bile circulation caused by the inflammation and obstruction of the gallbladder and bile duct and to relieve jaundice and other symptoms. However, its material basis and mechanism are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism and active components of QLTs for treating intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC) in rat models.

Methods

In vivo experiments verified the effect of QLTs on alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced IHC models in rats. The mRNA and protein expression levels of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), bile salt export pump (BSEP), and multidrug-associated protein 2 (MRP2) in the rat liver were detected. UPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to separate and identify the monomers in QLTs, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to select effective the monomers that stimulate FXR. Among the selected monomers, baicalein was used as a representative to verify the effect on rat IHC models.

Results

QLTs and baicalein significantly reduced the serum biochemical indicators reflecting the changes in liver function among IHC rats and remitted the ANIT-induced liver histopathological changes. The expression levels of FXR, BSEP, and MRP2 in the liver were significantly increased after QLT treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, six types of active components that activate FXR were selected in QLTs, namely baicalein, wogonin, baicalein II, emodin, dibutyl phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate.

Conclusions

QLTs and the active component, baicalein, can alleviate IHC in model rats.

The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) is mainly one of the complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with complex and obscure pathogenesis. Extensive evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for DCD management.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review attempted to systematically summarize the possible pathogenesis of DCD and the current Chinese medicine on the treatment of DCD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We acquired information of TCM on DCD treatment from PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and CNKI databases. We then dissected the potential mechanisms of currently reported TCMs and their active ingredients for the treatment of DCD by discussing the deficiencies and giving further recommendations.

RESULTS

Most TCMs and their active ingredients could improve DCD through alleviating insulin resistance, microvascular dysfunction, abnormal gut microbiota composition, inflammation, and the damages of the blood-brain barrier, cerebrovascular and neurons under hyperglycemia conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM is effective in the treatment of DCD with few adverse reactions. A large number of in vivo and in vitro, and clinical trials are still needed to further reveal the potential quality markers of TCM on DCD treatment.

ZiBuPiYin Recipe Prevented and Treated Cognitive Decline in ZDF Rats With Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline via Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Dialogue

Gut microbiota is becoming one of the key determinants in human health and disease. Shifts in gut microbiota composition affect cognitive function and provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. Diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) is one of the central nervous system complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ZiBuPiYin recipe (ZBPYR), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has long been used for the treatment of T2DM and prevention of DACD. However, the contribution of ZBPYR treatment to the interaction between the gut microbiota and metabolism for preventing and treating DACD remains to be clarified. Here, we investigate whether the gut microbiota plays a key role in ZBPYR-mediated prevention of DACD and treatment of T2DM via incorporating microbiomics and metabolomics, and investigate the links between the microbiota-gut-brain axis interaction and the efficacy of ZBPYR in ZDF rats. In the current study, we found that ZBPYR treatment produced lasting changes in gut microbiota community and metabolites and remotely affected hippocampus metabolic changes, thereby improving memory deficits and reversing β-amyloid deposition and insulin resistance in the brain of ZDF rats from T2DM to DACD. This may be related to a series of metabolic changes affected by gut microbiota, including alanine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid metabolism; branched-chain amino acid metabolism; short-chain fatty acid metabolism; and linoleic acid/unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. In summary, this study demonstrates that prevention and treatment of DACD by ZBPYR partly depends on the gut microbiota, and the regulatory effects of bacteria-derived metabolites and microbiota-gut-brain axis are important protective mechanisms of ZBPYR.

Neuroprotective roles of total flavones of Camellia on early brain injury andcognitive dysfunction following subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the role of total flavones of Camellia (TFC) on cerebral injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. We showed that the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level in brain tissues, leakages of neuron-specifc enolase (NSE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from brain tissues to serum at 48 h after SAH were significantly blocked by TFC treatment. Besides, TFC treatment could reduce brain edema and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in hippocampal tissues at mRNA and protein levels at 48 h after SAH. In addition, and the reduction of neurological scores at 7d after SAH were significantly inhibited by TFC treatment. We next sought to demonstrate the role of TFC on cognitive rehabilitation and the tau phosphorylation in hippocampal tissues at 30d after SAH. Not surprisingly, cognitive dysfunction and the upregulation of tau phosphorylation at Ser262 (p-tau-Ser262) in hippocampal tissues were markedly reduced by TFC treatment. These findings suggested that TFC has protective effect on SAH-induced EBI and subsequent cognitive dysfunction, which may be related to downregulating the Bax/Bcl-2-related apoptosis pathway and inhibition of tau phosphorylation.

Effect of the ZiBuPiYin Recipe on Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats After Chronic Psychological Stress

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is a complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Studies have shown that chronic psychological stress may promote the development of T2DM into diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD). Previously, cognitive impairment in T2DM was correlated predominantly with insulin resistance in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

AIMS

We examined the effect of the ZiBuPiYin recipe (ZBPYR) on Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and explored the impact of chronic stress on altered β-amyloid (Aβ) metabolism through insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway after the induction of chronic psychological stress.

MAIN METHODS

After chronic psychological stress and drug treatment, cognitive function was observed via behavioral experiments. The activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and levels of Aβ were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of related proteins was evaluated by Western blotting.

KEY FINDINGS

ZBPYR treatment significantly decreased anxious-like behaviors and plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels, and ameliorated learning and memory impairments of ZDF rats after chronic psychological stress. ZBPYR also reduced the deposition of Aβ in the mPFC, improved brain insulin resistance, and modulated the mTOR-autophagy pathway.

SIGNIFICANCE

ZBPYR may be a potential therapeutic application for the treatment of DACD induced by chronic psychological stress.

Role of CSE-Produced H2S on Cerebrovascular Relaxation via RhoA-ROCK Inhibition and Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

The role of CSE-produced H₂S on cerebrovascular relaxation and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was investigated using CSE knockout (CSE^-/-) and wild-type (CSE^+/+) mice. The relaxation of the cerebral basilar artery (BA) to CSE-produced H₂S and its mechanism were detected. The results revealed that both NaHS, a donor of exogenous H₂S, and ROCK inhibitor Y27632 could induce significant relaxation of the BA, but the relaxation of the BA to NaHS was significantly attenuated by Y27632. In addition, removal of endothelium could reduce the relaxation of the BA to Y27632; CSE knockout also significantly attenuated Y27632-induced BA relaxation with endothelium rather than without endothelium. By contrast, the contraction of the BA from CSE^-/- mice to RhoA agonist LPA or U₄₆₆₁₉ was stronger than that from CSE^+/+ mice. Furthermore, RhoA activity and ROCK protein expression remarkably increased in the BA vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from CSE^-/- mouse, which were inhibited by NaHS pretreatment. These findings revealed that the CSE-produced H₂S induced cerebrovascular relaxation is generated from endothelial cells and the mechanism of vascular relaxation may relate to inhibition of RhoA-ROCK pathway. We next sought to confirm the protective effect of CSE-produced H₂S on cerebral I/R injury produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion and bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in mice. We investigated the changes of neurological deficit, cerebral infarct, brain water content, LDH decrease, MDA increase as well as impairment of learning and memory function. The results showed that the cerebral injury became more grievous in CSE^-/-mice than that in CSE^+/+mice, which could be remarkably alleviated by NaHS pretreatment.

Protective effect of extract of the Camellia japonica L. on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

ABSTRACT Objective: We investigated the protective effect of the extract of the Camellia japonica L. flower on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: The rat ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 minutes and reperfusion for 48 hours. The animals received an intravenous injection once a day of 20, 40, 80 mg/kg extract of C. japonica for three consecutive days before the ischemia reperfusion. The learning and memory function, the infarct volume, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and extravasation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) into cerebral parenchyma were assessed as the cell damage index. Results: Pretreatment with extract of C. japonica markedly reduced the infarct volume, serum malondialdehyde level and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and markedly inhibited the extravasation of IgG. Moreover, pretreatment with extract of C. japonica may also inhibit the learning and memory deficits induced by an ischemia-reperfusion injury. Conclusion: It was concluded that pretreatment with extract of C. japonica has a protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Cognitive enhancement of volatile oil from the stems of Schisandra chinensis Baill. in Alzheimer’s disease rats

The volatile oil (VO), extracted from the stems of Schisandra chinensis Baill. (SCS), was separated and identified by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The study was devised to investigate the effects of VO on oxidative stress and cognitive deficits induced by amyloid-β (Aβ(1-42)). Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models were established by injecting Aβ(1-42) into the rat hippocampus and the effects of learning and memory were observed by a Morris water maze test, immunohistological alterations, and correlative indicators covering nerve growth (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial-cell-derived trophic factor, and nerve growth factor), interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and microglial CD11b in AD rats. And activities of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were ameliorated by VO. The neurotrophic factors GFAP and microglial CD11b were noticeably improved in histopathologic changes. These data suggested that VO from SCS had potential activities for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Research advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of patients' memory and their cognitive abilities and the mechanism is not completely clear. Although a variety of drugs have been approved for the AD treatment, substances which can prevent and cure AD are still in great need. The effect of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on anti-AD has gained great progress and attained more and more attention in recent years. In this review, research advances in TCM-polysaccharides on AD made in this decade are summarized.

Effects of Bushen-Yizhi formula on age-related inflammation and oxidative stress in senescence-accelerated mice

The present study aimed to investigate the possible effects and underlying molecular mechanism of Bushen-Yizhi formula (BSYZ), a traditional Chinese medicine, on age-related degeneration of brain physiology in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. SAMP8 mice (age, 6 months) were administered BSYZ (1.46, 2.92 and 5.84 g/kg/day) for 30 days. Morris water maze and step-down tests demonstrated that BSYZ significantly improved memory impairments in SAMP8 mice. In addition, BSYZ significantly enhanced the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and B-cell lymphoma extra-large, and downregulated the expression levels of inflammatory mediators, glial fibrillary acidic protein, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB and interleukin-1β in the brain compared with untreated SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, BSYZ reversed disordered superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde content and glutathione peroxidase activity, and ameliorated apoptosis and histological alterations. The present study indicated that BSYZ may attenuate cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice, and modulate inflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. These results suggested that BSYZ may have the potential to be further developed into a therapeutic agent for protection against age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

GC-MS Fingerprinting Combined with Chemometric Methods Reveals Key Bioactive Components in Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma

This present study aims to identify the key bioactive components in acorus tatarinowii rhizoma (ATR), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with various bioactivities. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was employed to describe the relationship between the radical scavenging activity and the volatile components. The PLSR model was improved by outlier elimination and variable selection and was evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation and external validation in this study. Based on the PLSR model, eleven chemical components were identified as the key bioactive components by variable importance in projection. The final PLS regression model with these components has good predictive ability. The Q² was 0.8284, and the root mean square error for prediction was 2.9641. The results indicated that the eleven components could be a pattern to predict the radical scavenging activity of ATR. In addition, we did not find any specific relationship between the radical scavenging ability and the habitat of the ATRs. This study proposed an efficient strategy to predict bioactive components using the combination of quantitative chromatography fingerprints and PLS regression, and has potential perspective for screening bioactive components in complex analytical systems, such as TCM.

ZiBu PiYin recipe prevents diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats: possible involvement of ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance pathway and histopathological changes

BACKGROUND

Disturbance in energy metabolism, as a key factor in diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD), has become a promising therapeutic target of Chinese medicine ZiBu PiYin Recipe (ZBPYR). However, it is still not clear how ZBPYR affects the mitochondrial function in DACD rats' brains, which is considered as the crucial cell organelle to supply energy for the brain.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat models were established by using high fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg, ip). The evaluation of insulin sensitivity was performed by oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance test. After 7 weeks, the T2DM rats were treated with vehicle or ZBPYR for 11 weeks and morris water maze (MWM) test were used to evaluate memory function. The ultra structural changes of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with JC-1 and DCFDA assay. The levels of insulin proteins were quantified by Western Blot analysis and the markers of histopathological changes were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

ZBPYR could alleviate learning and memory impairment of DACD rats. TEM showed that ZBPYR prevented mitochondrial ultra-structural alterations and number changes in the PFC and hippocampus of the DACD rats. In addition, ZBPYR significantly increased ΔΨm and lowered the levels of ROS. Further investigation indicated that ZBPYR suppressed the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, strengthened insulin signaling and inhibited GSK3β over-expression. These positive effects were associated with reduced Aβ1-42 deposition and restored expression levels of microtubule-associated protein MAP2.

CONCLUSION

ZBPYR showed excellent protective effect against DACD via ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and histopathological changes.

Electroacupuncture improves cognitive ability following cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury via CaM-CaMKIV-CREB signaling in the rat hippocampus

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive deficits, and the underlying mechanism following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) via the calmodulin (CaM)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV (CaMKIV)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response elements binding protein (CREB) intracellular signaling pathway in the hippocampus. In total, 45 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely the sham group, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group and the MCAO + EA group. Rats in the MCAO and MCAO + EA groups were modeled for post-stroke cognitive impairment. EA was performed at the Baihui and Shenting acupuncture points for 30 min/day for one week in the MCAO + EA group. Behavioral testing was analyzed using a step-down apparatus, while 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was used to detect the infarct volume and lesion size. In addition, CaM activity was assessed by cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterase analysis, and the protein expression levels of CaM, CaMKIV, phosphorylated (p)-CaMKIV, CREB and p-CREB were analyzed by western blot analysis. The cerebral I/R injured rat model in the MCAO group was established successfully with regard to the infarct volume and neuronal lesion size, as compared with the sham group. EA was demonstrated to effectively improve the cognitive ability, as measured by the step-down apparatus test, and decrease the infarct volume when compared with the MCAO group (P<0.05). The step-down apparatus test for the EA-treated rats revealed improved learning and reduced memory impairment when compared with the MCAO group. Furthermore, CaM activity and CaM protein expression levels in the MCAO + EA group were lower compared with those in the MCAO group (P<0.05). By contrast, the protein expression levels of CaMKIV, p-CaMKIV, CREB and p-CREB were significantly reduced in the MCAO group when compared with the sham group (P<0.05), although the expression levels increased following EA treatment when compared with the MCAO group (P<0.05). Therefore, cognitive repair benefited from EA, and the main intracellular signaling pathway in the hippocampus was mediated by CaM-CaMKIV-CREB. EA effectively inhibited the expression and activity of CaM, while further enhancing the expression of CaMKIV and CREB, and their associated phosphorylated functions.

Corilagin Attenuates Radiation-Induced Brain Injury in Mice

Cranial irradiation-induced inflammation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI). Anti-inflammation treatment may provide therapeutic benefits. Corilagin (beta-1-O-galloyl-3, 6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose, C₂₇H₂₂O₁₈) was a novel member of the tannin family with anti-inflammatory properties and is isolated from some medicinal plants, such as Phyllanthus amarus and Caesalpinia coriaria. In this study, the effect of Corilagin on RIBI was investigated and the underlying mechanisms were explored. Spatial learning and memory ability of mice were investigated by the Morris water maze test. Evans blue leakage and electron microscopy were used to assess the integrity of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, were measured by using real-time PCR and Western blotting. The activation of microglial cells and expression of TNF-α were examined by immunofluorescence staining. Phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) and IκBα, and the translocation of p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus were detected by using Western blotting. Morris water maze test showed that Corilagin ameliorated the neurocognitive deficits in RIBI mice. Evans blue leakage and electron microscopy exhibited that Corilagin partially protected the BBB integrity from cranial irradiation-caused damage; immunofluorescence staining showed that Corilagin could inhibit microglial activation and TNF-α expression. Real-time PCR and Western blotting revealed that Corilagin downregulated the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β and inhibited the irradiation-induced activation of NF-κB pathways by upregulating p-STAT3 expression. In conclusion, Corilagin could attenuate RIBI through inhibiting microglial activation and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines. Corilagin might inhibit the activation of NF-κB pathway in a STAT3-associated manner, thereby downregulating the inflammatory cytokine expressions.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities of aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in mice

Abelmoschus esculentus L. (ladies finger, okra) is a well-known tropical vegetable, widely planted from Africa to Asia and from South Europe to America. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant capacity and in vivo protective effect of the aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment using passive avoidance task and acute restraining stress-induced behavioural and biochemical changes using elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST) in mice. Our results demonstrated that the pretreatment of mice with aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus (200 mg/kg, p.o.) for seven days significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in the passive avoidance test. In addition, these extracts significantly reduced the blood glucose, corticosterone, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels elevated by acute restraint stress and also significantly increased the time spent in open arm in EPM and decreased the immobility time in FST. It has also been revealed that these extracts showed a significant antioxidant activity and no signs of toxicity or death up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg, p.o. These results suggest that the seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus L. possess antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities which promisingly support the medicinal values of ladies finger as a vegetable.

Effects of Fructus Akebiae on learning and memory impairment in a scopolamine-induced animal model of dementia

Fructus Akebiae (FAE) is a component of traditional Chinese medicines used for the clinical treatment of amnesia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of FAE extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment with FAE (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) was investigated in scopolamine-treated animals, and its effects on different types of memory were examined using the T-maze, the Morris water maze task, the novel object recognition test, the passive avoidance task and the step-down test. The results revealed that 5 and 10 mg/kg FAE attenuated scopolamine-mediated impairment of cognition, including spatial, episodic, aversive, and short- and long-term memory. Overall, these results suggest that FAE is an effective cognitive enhancer, and thus highlights the value of a multi-target strategy to address the complexity of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.