A new enhancer for learning and memory-fordine

Fordine, a new alkaloid, was extracted from Chinese herbs Huperziaceae, including Phlegmariurus fordii (Baker) Ching and Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev. It has been proved to be a anticholinesterase agent.
Fordine 10, 40μg/kg ip or 20μg/kg po before training caused rapid formation of avoidance reflex and significantly increased the positive response in rats. Reversal effect of fordine (10—40μg/kg ip) against the impairment of avoidance reflex with quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) 800 μg/kg ip was also observed. QNB (30μg/kg) or anisodine (500μg/kg iv) induced EEG changes of rabbits were antagonized with fordine at doses of 20—40μg/kg iv. Under the same conditions, eserine facilated the avoidance reflex but partlyfailed to protect it from QNB. It is suggested that fordine may be a useful drug for learning and memory.