Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on learning and memory in vascular dementia mice

Objective To investigate the effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on learning,memory,AchE and Ach in vascular dementia mice. Methods Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups,Astragalus Polysaccharides group( 400 mg / kg),sham group( 0. 9% Nacl 20. 0 mL / kg),donepezil group( 0. 2 mg / kg) and control group( 0. 9% Nacl 20. 0 mL / kg),ten in every group. The ascend platform latent period,all path,crossing platform number of times and platform quadrant residence time were measured after intragastric administration for three weeks. Then,AchE activity and Ach content in brain tissue were determined. Results Compared with sham group,Astragalus Polysaccharides group and donepezil group can shorten ascend platform latent period and all path,increase crossing platform number of times and platform quadrant residence time( P 0. 05). Moreover,Astragalus Polysaccharides group and donepezil group can increase AchE and degrade Ach level( P 0. 05). Conclusion It is indicated that Astragalus polysaccharides provides good intervention on leaming and memory in vascular dementia mice via enhancing the activity of AchE and decreasing the content of Ach in mice brain tissue.