Improvement of Cognitive Impairment and Isolation of the Active Compound in the Water Fraction of Epimedium koreanum MeOH Extract

초록

Epimedii Herba (EH) is the aerial part of Epimedium koreanum (E. koreanum) Nakai, which belongs to the Berberidaceae family. EH has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China and other Asian countries. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of E. koreanum fractions and assess the cognitive impairment improvement effect in vivo for the most active fraction (60% MeOH subfraction). Additionally, we isolated the active ingredient and explored its potential in Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The methodology encompassed extraction, fractionation, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory assay. Animal experiments included Morris water maze, novel object recognition, Y-maze, and passive avoidance tests. We also assessed acetylcholine (ACh) levels, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and AChE activity. The active compound was isolated and characterized using NMR(¹H and ¹³C) and HPLC analysis. The results showed that 60% MeOH subfraction exhibited AChE inhibitory activity in vitro. Administration of this fraction effectively alleviated learning and recognition memory deficits in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model induced by Aβ(1-42). It also attenuated cholinergic dysfunction in the same model. It was also shown that the content of this active compound increased as the E. koreanum extract was fractionated. Our study demonstrated that 60% MeOH subfraction of E. koreanum water extract was effective in improving cognitive impairment.

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