EFFECTS OF (-), (+)CLAUSENAMIDE ON ANISODINE-INDUCED ACETYLCHOLINE DECREASE AND ASSOCIATED MEMORY DEFICITS IN THE MOUSE BRAIN

The effect of a new cognition enhancer clausenamide on regional acetylcholine (ACh) levels and anisodine induced ACh decrease were examined in mice of memory deficits.In the mean time, the effect of (-)clausenamide on ACh was compared with that of (+)clausenamide. Animal amnesia model was induced by ip anisodine, brain acetylcholine content was measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. It was found that single administration of (-)clausenamide or (+)clausenamide(10,20,50 mg·kg^-1, ig) showed no effect on the ACh level in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum in normal condition. However, pretreatment with (-)clausenamide (10,20,50 mg·kg^-1, ig) significantly ameliorated the reduction of ACh in these regions induced by anisodine (10 mg·kg^-1, ip) in a dosedependent manner. In the meantime, (-) clausenamide ameliorate anisodine induced memory deficits in stepthrough test in mice.In contrast, (+)clausenamide showed no effect on these sides. The results indicate that there is significant difference between the actions of (-)clausenamide and (+)clausenamide; The protective action of (-)clausenamide against anisodineinduced amnesia is due to its ability to reverse ACh reduction.