Effects of Wuling capsule on learning and memory disorder induced by post-stroke depression in rats

Objective To evaluate the effects of Wuling capsule on learning and memory disorder induced by post-troke depression(PSD) in rats,and examine the relationship between the changes in cognitive function and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in hippocampus.Methods Forty male adult SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(10 each): untreated control group,model group,escitalopram treatment group and Wuling treatment group.All rats,except those in the untreated control group,underwent a paradigm of 3-week consecutive chronic unpredictable mild stress(CMS) followed by selective right middle cerebral artery embolism to induce PSD.The sucrose preference was introduced to evaluate the level of depression and the spatial learning,and memory functions were detected using Morris water maze test.The expression of BDNF was analyzed by Western blotting.Results The cognitive function and hippocampal BDNF expression were significantly lower in model rats than in the untreated control group and the two treatment groups(P < 0.05).When escitalopram was administered once daily to the model rats at a dose of 0.2mg/(kg·d) for 21 days along with the procedure of CMS,the depressed behavior was improved with BDNF protein expression rose from 0.41±0.07 to 0.86±0.09.Similar effects were found after treatment with Wuling capsule [100mg/(kg·d)],except that the lower BDNF expression was not changed.Conclusion Wuling capsule can improve the learning and memory function in PSD rats,bat this effect is not related to the changes in BDNF expression in hippocampus.