EFFECT OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF BERBERINE ON SCOPOLAMINE-INDUCED AMNESIA IN RATS

The effect of berberine (BER) on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced amnesia wa s investigated in a step-through passive avoidance task in rats. It wa s observed that BER at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 g/kg after 7-day or 14 -day administration significantly improved SCOP-induced amnesia. The a nti-amnesic effect of BER after 14-day administration on the SCOP-indu ced amnesia was significantly augmented by physostigmine or neostigmin e, and completely reversed by scopolamine N-methylbromide. These resul ts suggest that the antiamnesic effect of BER after 14-day administrat ion may be related to the increase in the peripheral and central choli nergic neuronal system activity.