Effect of Icariin on learning and memory,cortex oxidative stress in ovarietomized senescence-accelerated prone/8 female mice

Objective To investigate the effects of icariin（ICA）on learning and memory,and antioxidative ability of ovariectomized senescence accelerated prone/8 female mice. Methods Female mice with ovariectomized senescence-accelerated prone/8（SAP8）at the age of 10 months were divided into model group,normal group and sham operation group.Experimental group was further divided into senescence-accelerated resistant mouse1（SAMR1）group,sham operation group,SAP8 group,donepezil group,stilbestrol group,ICA75mg/kg group and ICA150mg/kg group.After 8 weeks of intragastric administration of ICA,Morris water maze test was used to test the effects of ICA on learning and memory in SAMR1 and SAP8 groups.NO and MDA level,and SOD and GSH-Px activity in cerebral cortex were measured. Results ICA（150mg/kg or 75mg/kg）could significantly improve the latency on place navigation of OVX SAP8,space exploration,and residence times on quadrant of platform,reduce MDA and NO level,and increase SOD and GSH-Px activity in cerebral cortex（P＜0.05）. Conclusion ICA can improve learning and memory of ovariectomized SAP8 female mice.