Effect of Kangshuaiyizhi formula I on learning and memory behavior and expression of ChAT in hippocampus of mice

AIM: To evaluate the role of kangshuaiyizhi formula I (KYF I, a Chinese medicine) on improving the ability of learning and memory in mice and to explore the mechanism related to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in hippocampus. METHODS: The mice were divided into 4 groups by gastragavege of distilled water, low-, middle-, and high-doses of KYF I, respectively for 40 successive days. Morris water maze test was used to assess the behavior performance of the mice with different treatment. The activities of AChE and ChAT in hippocampus were measured and the expression of ChAT in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting after treatment. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the mice in high-dose KYF I group showed better performance in Morris water maze test (P<0.05). The activity of ChAT increased (P<0.01) and the activity of AChE decreased in high-dose KYF I treated mice. Moreover, the number of ChAT positive neurons and the expression of ChAT increased significantly in the hippocampus of high-dose KYF I treated animals (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose KYF I improves the ability of learning and memory in mice. The results suggest that KYF I promotes the level of ACh in brain by inhibiting the activity of AChE, enhancing the activity of ChAT and upregulating the expression of ChAT in hippocampus.