OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Jiannao Yizhi Decoction (JNYZD) on learning and memory in rats with similar Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to investigate its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe composite AD rat model was established by injecting aggregated Abeta25-35 into the lateral cerebral ventricle of senile rats, and all the modeled rats were divided into 5 groups, the model group, the Donepezil group, the high-, middle-, and low-dose JNYZD group. All rats, except those in the model group, were treated respectively with Donepezil and JNYZD at the daily dose of 0.525 mg/kg, 42.4 g/kg, 21.2 g/kg, 10.6 g/kg for 21 days. The ability of learning and memory of rats in different groups was tested using Morris water maze, and the activity of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and butyrocholin esterase (BehE) in serum were determined, too.

RESULTSThe escape latent period was shorter in all medicated group than in the model group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and it was insignificantly different among all medicated groups (P>0.05). A decreasing trend of AchE and BchE activity presented in the high- and middle-dose JNYZD groups, but insignificant difference was shown as compared these indexes respectively with those in the Donepezil group. Furthermore, the improvement of learning and memory in similar AD rats was insignificantly different between the Donepezil group and the JNYZD groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONJNYZD can improve the learning and memory ability of similar AD rats by influencing the activity of cholinesterase.