The protective effect of palmatine on impairment learning and memory and necrosis cell death on hippocampus following methamphetamine neurotoxicity

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system Methamphetamine abuse can impair cognitive function and damage the nervous system. Recent studies have shown that methamphetamine result in neuronal damage through several ways such as increased free radicals and oxidative stress, accelerated cell death, and apoptosis. In addition, there are many studies and evidence of antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects of palmatine on various types of neurological diseases. Therefore, this study was designed to help prove the function of palmatine neurotransmitter protection against neurotoxic activity of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine neurotoxicity was induced by 40 mg/kg of METH in four intraperitoneally (IP) injections (e.g., 4×10 mg/kg q. 2-h, IP.). Palmatine (50,100 mg/kg) was administered at 30- min, 24-h, and 48 h after the final injection of METH. Spatial memory test was evaluated by Morris water maze then the brains were removed for Nissl staining to assess necrosis neuronal death within the hippocampal CA1 area.

Behavioral tests shows that palmatine treatment could significantly improve spatial memory deficits and learning (P<0.05) versus the METH group. Moreover, palmatine could significantly reduce necrosis cell death (P<0.05) in CA1 area of hippocampus.

According to the findings, palmatine improve memory and learning function in rats by reducing cell death.