OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

Objective To understand the current status and influencing factors of public cognition, attitude, and behavior (KAP) for COVID-19, and to help the development of strategies for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Methods Snowballing-based online questionnaire was used to conduct an anonymous survey. Results A total of 1 576 questionnaires were received, and 1 553 were effective (recovery rate 98.5%).The awareness rate for epidemiological knowledge was 87.3%, 93.1% for etiology knowledge and 85.9% for prevention and treatment knowledge.The average score for attitude towards COVID-19 fear was 15.47±3.15, agreement with relevant government regulations and policies was 11.28±1.58, and for preventive behavior was 24.47±2.61.Men′s knowledge scores in epidemiology and etiology were higher than women′s (P < 0.05).Women′s attitude towards epidemic fear and government identification were scored higher than men′s (P < 0.05).The public health prevention knowledge score was higher in subjects with urban household registration than in those with rural household registration (P < 0.05).Regression analysis showed that gender, age, occupation, level of attention on pandemic, epidemiological knowledge, and etiology knowledge were the influencing factors for the fear attitude to the epidemic (P < 0.05);the attention level and prevention knowledge were the influencing factors for prevention behavior (P < 0.05). Conclusion The public awareness rate of COVID-19 and attitude towards government identification are relatively high.The degree of pandemic fear and preventive behavior are above average.More targeted public education on COVID-19 is highly recommended.