EFFECTS OF GASTRODIA-ELATA AND ITS ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS ON SCOPOLAMINE-INDUCED AMNESIA IN RATS

The effects of the rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) (abb reviated as GE) and its active constituents on learning and memory by using the one-trial passive avoidance task were studied in rats. At th e 1.0 g/kg dose administered for one week, the methanol extract of GE significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance task. Furthermore, at the 50.0 mg /kg dose administered for one week, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fr actions of the methanol extract prolonged the shortened step-through l atency induced by scopolamine in rats. Gastrodin, isolated from the n- butanol fraction of the methanol extract, and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract, als o significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced b y scopolamine on the passive avoidance task. These results suggested t hat gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol may be the active constituen ts of GE.