Levo-Stepholidine as a Potential Cognitive Enhancer: Insights into Executive Function and Memory Improvements
Background/Objectives: Levo-Stepholidine (<i>l</i>-SPD), a compound extracted from Chinese herbs, has the potential to treat psychotic disorders where cognitive deficits are a critical challenge. <i>L</i>-SPD displays a D1R agonism/D2R antagonism pharmacological profile, and...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Biomedicines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/12/2680 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Background/Objectives: Levo-Stepholidine (<i>l</i>-SPD), a compound extracted from Chinese herbs, has the potential to treat psychotic disorders where cognitive deficits are a critical challenge. <i>L</i>-SPD displays a D1R agonism/D2R antagonism pharmacological profile, and its effect on cognitive function is still vague and lacks comprehensive study. Here, we investigated the impact of l-SPD on two core indexes of executive function, working memory and response inhibition, and learning and memory. Methods: Using a delayed alternation T-maze task (DAT), we investigated the impact of <i>l</i>-SPD on working memory, evaluated its effect on response inhibition using the stop-signal task (SST), and assessed the impact on learning and memory using trace fear conditioning in Sprague-Dawley rats. We further evaluated its effects on prefrontal glutamate receptor expression using western blot. Results: Rats receiving <i>l</i>-SPD made fewer errors in the T-maze, exhibited faster stop action in response to the stop signal, and showed longer-lasting memory retention. Molecular mechanism investigations reveal that <i>l</i>-SPD upregulates the expression of prefrontal glutamate receptors. These results demonstrate that <i>l</i>-SPD improves executive function and memory. Conclusions: Here, we show the enhancement effect of l-SPD on cognitive function, which provides essential implicants for the treatment of cognitive deficits, which is a critical unmet need in psychiatric care. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2227-9059 |