7,8-dihydroxyflavone ameliorates scopolamine-induced Alzheimer-like pathologic dysfunction.

Scopolamine (Sco) can induce amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and learning/memory impairment as observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia affecting more than 25 million elderly people worldwide. Herein we explored the protective effect of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) on Sco-induced Aβ deposition, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and learning/memory defects. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=12 for each group). The control group received normal saline (NS); the Sco group received Sco (1 mg/kg per day) intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 2 weeks. Mice in the Sco+7,8-DHF group received 1 mg/kg per day 7,8-DHF i.p. for 2 weeks, followed by Sco (1 mg/kg per day)+1 mg/kg per day 7,8-DHF (i.p.) for another 2 weeks. The 7,8-DHF group received 1 mg/kg per day 7,8-DHF (i.p.) for 4 weeks. Results showed that the supplement of 7,8-DHF significantly reversed Aβ deposition, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive defects. Our data suggest that 7,8-DHF might serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for attenuating Sco-induced AD-like pathological dysfuntion.