New mechanisms in preventive effect of ellagic acid on cognition in mice with Alzheimer’s disease type dementia

摘要: Antioxidant mechanisms in protective effects of some natural compounds on progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were reported during last years. Our previous data revealed significant improving effect of a natural polyphenol Ellagic Acid (EA) on rodent cognitive functions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of EA on cognition of mice with chemically induced dementia from AD type. This animal model was produced via Scopolamine treatment of male Albino mice and was verified by cognitive and biochemical methods. After 5-days treatment with EA both the changes in the cognitive functions of animals and biochemical correlates were evaluated. Significant preventive effect of EA on the processes of learning and memory (Stepthrough test) of dement animals was established. The high percent (50%) of memory prevention by EA was accompanied by significant antioxidant effect (decreased lipid peroxidation) and inhibited activity of acetylcholine esterase in the brains of EA-treated animals. An increase of dopamine uptake in the brains of EA-treated dement animals was also found. Our results reveal some of the complex mechanisms underlying the EA preventive effect on the cognition in mouse model of AD-dementia.