Protective effects of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae against memory impairment in scopolamine-induced mice

We investigated the protective effects of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae on memory impairment in a scopolamineinduced mouse model.To induce memory impairment, mice were intraperitoneally injected with scopolamine.Protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract was orally administered at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks.The administration of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract increased spatial memory, novel object recognition ability, learning, and cognitive abilities when compared with scopolamine-induced memory deficit group in behavioral experiments, including T-maze, novel object cognition, and Morris water maze tests.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation in the brain were significantly elevated by treatment of scopolamine.However, administration of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract significantly decreased the level of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in the brain.Furthermore, Protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract-administered group showed up-regulated protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, compared with the scopolamine-induced group.Therefore, Protaetia brevitarsis larvae have the potential to be used as a health functional food for enhancing memory and cognitive function.