Effect of Berberine Hydrochloride and Vitamin E on Learning and Memory in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats

Increasing evidence has shown that diabetes induces cognitive dysfunction and impairs learning and memory. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid and vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant with multiple pharmacological effects on diabetes. Thus, we investigated the effect of Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E on diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats. 48 male Wistar rats were randomly selected and allocated in 6 control groups: control treated with vitamin E (30mg/kg), diabetic and Berberine-treated diabetic group 100mg/kg), vitamin E-treated diabetic group (30mg/kg) and a diabetic group treated with both vitamin E and Berbrine. Diabetes was induced by STZ administration at dose of 55mg/kg through Intraperitoneal injection route. Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E were administered per os, respectively at doses of 100 and 30 mg/kg/day 1 week after STZ injection for a period of 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken from the tail vein 1, 3, 5, 7 weeks after STZ injection to measure blood glucose levels. Behavioral tests including spatial recognition and objective recognition were performed at the end of the study. Diabetic group treated with both drugs demonstrated significant behavioral differences as compared to diabetic, vitamin E-treated diabetic (30mg/kg), and Berberine -treated diabetic (10 mg/kg) groups. In the meantime, cognitive test value demonstrated an increase in this group. Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E administration for 6 weeks improve cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin -induced diabetes in rats.