Synergistic Neuroprotective Effect of Schisandra chinensis and Ribes fasciculatum on Neuronal Cell Death and Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered as a transitional stage between aging and Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study, we examined the protective effect of Schisandra chinensis (SC) and Ribes fasciculatum (RF) on neuronal cell death in vitro and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in Sprague Dawley(®) rats in vivo. A mixture of SC and RF extracts (SC+RF) significantly protected against hydrogen peroxide-induced PC12 neuronal cell death. The neuroprotective effect of SC+RF on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats was evaluated using the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. In the passive avoidance test, SC+RF-treated rats showed an increased latency to escape, compared to the scopolamine-treated rats. Moreover, SC+RF treatment significantly reduced escape latency in water maze test, compared to treatment with scopolamine alone. To verify the long-term memory, we performed probe test of water maze test. As a result, rat treated with SC+RF spent more time in the target quadrant. Consistent with enhancement of memory function, the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream molecules (pERK, pATK, and pCREB) are increased in SC+RF treatment in hippocampal area compared with scopolamine treated group. These results suggest that a mixture of SC and RF extracts may be a good therapeutic candidate for preventing mild cognitive impairment.