Background: This study aimed to investigate the memory-enhancing effects of Sorbus commixtaHedl. bark ethanol extract (SCBE) and its underlying mechanisms.Methods and Results: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was evaluated in vitro at concentrations ranging from 20 to 2000 μg/mL, and cognitive function was assessed using a scopolamine-induced memory impairment model in mice. SCBE swas associated with increased alternation behavior from 42.20% in the scopolamine-treated group to 68.96% in the 500 mg/kg group, indicating a marked recovery of spatial working memory. SCBE inhibited AChE activity in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, SCBE restored cholinergic function by increasing hippocampal acetylcholine levels from 0.82 to 1.31 nmol/mg protein and decreasing brain AChE activity from 35.69 to 23.64 mU/mg protein. Furthermore, SCBE enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, indicating the activation of neuroplastic signaling pathways associated with synaptic plasticity and memory formation. In addition, histological analysis revealed that SCBE improved neuronal staining intensity and structural organization in the hippocampus, thus supporting its neuroprotective effects and preservation of neuronal integrity.Conclusions: SCBE improves cognitive function by modulating cholinergic transmission and the BDNF/CREB signaling pathway, revealing its potential as a functional medicinal crop resource for cognitive health.
Lee et al. (Thu,) studied this question.