KAMPO SI-SHEN EXTRACT PREVENTS LPS-INDUCED WORKING MEMORY IMPAIRMENT AND DEPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN MICE

Si-Shen decoction is a mild medicinal dietary material composed of lotus seeds, gorgon, poria and yam. In vitro studies have proved the biological activity of four individual medicinal materials, but the effects of the combination prescription have yet to be evaluated in vivo in the past. This study prepared the Si-Shen extracts (SSE) by heating reflux with 50% alcohol. The prepared extracts contained functional components, including [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]mg of QE/g of flavonoids and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]mg of GAE/g of polyphenols. The antioxidant activity of SSE was verified by the DPPH and FRAP assays. Moreover, the prepared SSE is not cytotoxic below the concentration of 2[Formula: see text]mg/mL according to the ISO10993-5 test method. Feeding the SSE for 28 days is sufficient to prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced spatial memory impairment and anxiety symptoms, and SSE improves physical fitness. Further experiments demonstrated that SSE elevated the level of acetylcholine in the brain and serum superoxide dismutase activity. This research demonstrated the apparent efficacy and safety of the SSE, which will be further developed into innovative health products related to disease prevention.