Liuwei Dihuang-active fraction combination, LW-AFC, improved spatial learning and memory impairment induced by TNF-α in mice

OBJECTIVE Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) plays a vital role in cognitive dysfunction caused by stress.In our previous study, Liuwei Dihuang-active fraction combination(LW-AFC) could attenuate the effects of mental stress and non-psychotic stress in mice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of LW-AFC on cognitive dysfunction caused by TNF-α in mice. METHODS 40 male BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups according to their body weight,including control, TNF-α model, LW-AFC treatment and Etanercept(TNF-α antagonist) treatment groups. LW-AFC(1.6 or 3.2 g·kg-1 per day) were orally administrated for 7 consecutive days before TNF-α administration. Etanercept was injected subcutaneously at 30 mg·kg-1 the day before TNF-α administration. One hour before the behavioral test, TNF-αwere injected intraperitoneally at 0.2 mg·kg-1 to mice. RESULTS Compared with control group, the time of mice stayed in the target quadrant and the number of mice crossing the plate significantly decreased after TNF-α injection, suggested that the spatial learning and memory ability of the mice were impaired. LW-AFC administration could increase the time of mice stayed in the target quadrant and the number of mice crossing the plate significantly at 1.6 g·kg-1, indicated that LW-AFC could improve spatial learning and memory in TNF-α treated mice. CONCLUSION LW-AFC can improve spatial learning and memory impairment induced by TNF-α in mice, the further mechanism still need to be clarified.