Cognition and memory function of Taraxacum coreanum in an in vivo amyloid-β-induced mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

We investigated whether the ethyl acetate fraction of Taraxacum coreanum (ETC) had a protective effect against memory impairment in an amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The formation of Aβ in the brain is a hallmark of AD. We examined whether oxidative stress contributes to learning and memory deficits using the T-maze test, the object recognition test, and the Morris water maze test in mice injected with Aβ. Cognition and memory function were significantly impaired in mice injected with Aβ, as compared to the normal group. However, mice that received ETC orally at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks showed high recognition behavior of tasks. ETC may have prevented oxidative stress to the brain tissue by reducing lipid peroxidation levels and a NO scavenger. ETC could be useful for the prevention and treatment of AD