Planta Med 2007; 73(3): 275-278
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-967127
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Psoralen and Isopsoralen, Two Coumarins of Psoraleae Fructus, can Alleviate Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Rats

Chi-Rei Wu1 , Chia-Lin Chang1 , Ping-Ying Hsieh1 , Li-Wei Lin1 , Hui Ching2
  • 1Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C.
  • 2Taichung Hospital, Department of Health, The Executive Yuan, Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 16, 2006

Accepted: January 15, 2007

Publication Date:
22 February 2007 (online)

Abstract

In this study we have found that the crude extract of Psoraleae Fructus inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in vitro and ameliorated impairment of the inhibitory avoidance response and of the water maze spatial performance caused by scopolamine in rats. Among all fractions, the chloroform fraction showed the best inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity and could reduce the scopolamine-induced inhibitory avoidance response impairment. Psoralen and isopsoralen, two major constituents of the chloroform fraction of Psoraleae Fructus identified by high performance liquid chromatography, also reduced the extent of the inhibitory avoidance response impairment. The results suggest that psoralen and isopsoralen are the major active ingredients of Psoraleae Fructus responsible for the progressive reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia, whose effects are partially associated with inhibition of AchE activity and hence activation of the central cholinergic neuronal system.

References

  • 1 Mar W, Je K H, Seo E K. Cytotoxic constituents of Psoralea corylifolia .  Arch Pharm Res. 2001;  24 211-3.
  • 2 Haraguchi H, Inoue J, Tamura Y, Mizutani K. Antioxidative components of Psoralea corylifolia (Leguminosae).  Phytother Res. 2002;  16 539-44.
  • 3 Ji L, Xu Z. Review of constituents in fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L.  Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1995;  20 120-2, 8.
  • 4 Bruhlmann C, Ooms F, Carrupt P A, Testa B, Catto M, Leonetti F. et al . Coumarins derivatives as dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase.  J Med Chem. 2001;  44 3195-8.
  • 5 Kang S Y, Lee K Y, Sung S H, Park M J, Kim Y C. Coumarins isolated from Angelica gigas inhibit acetylcholinesterase: structure-activity relationships.  J Nat Prod. 2001;  64 683-5.
  • 6 Kang S Y, Lee K Y, Park M J, Kim Y C, Markelonis G J, Oh T H. et al . Decursin from Angelica gigas mitigates amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice.  Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2003;  79 11-8.
  • 7 Liston D R, Nielsen J A, Villalobos A, Chapin D, Jones S B, Hubbard S T. et al . Pharmacology of selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: implications for use in Alzheimer's disease.  Eur J Pharmacol. 2004;  486 9-17.
  • 8 Wu C R, Hsieh M T, Huang S C, Peng W H, Chang Y S, Chen C F. Effects of Gastrodia elata and its active constituents on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats.  Planta Med. 1996;  62 317-21.
  • 9 Blokland A. Acetylcholine: a neurotransmitter for learning and memory?.  Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1995;  21 285-300.
  • 10 Bejar C, Wang R H, Weinstock M. Effect of rivastigmine on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats.  Eur J Pharmacol. 1999;  383 231-40.
  • 11 Badia A, Banos J E, Camps P, Contreras J, Gorbig D M, Munoz-Torrero D. et al . Synthesis and evaluation of tacrine-huperzine A hybrids as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors of potential interest for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.  Bioorg Med Chem. 1998;  6 427-40.
  • 12 Rollinger J M, Hornick A, Langer T, Stuppner H, Prast H. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of scopolin and scopoletin discovered by virtual screening of natural products.  J Med Chem. 2004;  47 6248-54.
  • 13 Botwinick C Y, Quartermain D. Recovery from amnesia induced by pre-test injections of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.  Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1974;  2 375-9.
  • 14 Kong L D, Tan R X, Woo A Y, Cheng C H. Inhibition of rat brain monoamine oxidase activities by psoralen and isopsoralen: implications for the treatment of affective disorders.  Pharmacol Toxicol. 2001;  88 75-80.
  • 15 Lagatolla C, Dolzani L, Granzotto M, Monti-Bragadin C. Genotoxic activity of 4,4′,5′-trimethylazapsoralen on plasmid DNA.  Teratog Carcinog Mutagen. 1998;  18 239-48.
  • 16 Stern R S, Liebman E J, Vakeva L. Oral psoralen and ultraviolet-A light (PUVA) treatment of psoriasis and persistent risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. PUVA Follow-up Study.  J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;  90 1278-84.
  • 17 Chang H M, But P PH. Pharmacology and application of Chinese Materia Medica. Singapore; World Scientific 1986: 636-41
  • 18 Hsieh M T, Hsieh C L, Wang W H, Chen C S, Lin C J, Wu C R. Osthole improves aspects of spatial performance in ovariectomized rats.  Am J Chin Med. 2004;  32 11-20.
  • 19 Ellman G L, Courtney K D, Andres  Jr. V, Feather-Stone R M. A new and rapid colorimetric determination of acetylcholinesterase activity.  Biochem Pharmacol. 1961;  7 88-95.

Dr. Chi-Rei Wu

Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences

Department of Pharmacy

China Medical University

91 Hsueh Shih Road

Taichung 40424

Taiwan

Republic of China

Phone: +886-4-2205-3366-1708

Fax: +886-4-3509-0713

Email: crw@mail.cmu.edu.tw