The Application of the Morris Water Maze System to the Effect of Ginsenoside Re on the Learning and Memory Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease

摘要

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ginsenoside Re on the learning and memory disorders and Alzheimer's disease (AD) by using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) system. Method: Scopolamine was used to induce learning and memory disorders, AD was induced by the d-galactose and chronic aluminum toxicities. The MWM was performed to measure the escape latency, the times to cross the platform and the ratio of the platform quadrant's path length to the total path length. Result: The results showed that the escape latency was prolonged, the ratio of the platform quadrant's path length to the total path length and the times to cross the platform were decreased in the model group as compared with the control group. However, the administration of Ginsenoside Re reversed the prolongation of the escape latency, the decrease of the ratio of the platform quadrant's path length to the total path length and of the times to cross the platform in the scopolamine-treated mouse, while the high-dose administration of Ginsenoside Re reversed those indicators in the d-galactose and chronic aluminum toxicities-treated mouse. Conclusion: It suggested that Ginsenoside Re had a strong effect on the learning and memory disorders and on AD. The application of MWM system provided a reliable method of studying the cognitive function. The data collected by the tracking software was more accurate and convincible than the manual record, which proved that the computerization of MWM could improve the efficiency of MWM and evaluate the mouse's learning and memory ability more comprehensively and objectively.