Objective:To study the effects of total alkaloids from Pinellia ternate (TAPT) on learning and memory ability in aging mice induced by D-galactose and its preliminary mechanism. Method: One hundred mice were randomly assigned into control group

model group

TAPT low

middle and high dose group(7.5

15

30 mg·kg-1)

20 mice in each group. The TAPT and the model groups were given 120 mg·kg-1 D-galactose (sc

for 8 weeks) to induce aging-mouse model

and the control group was given the same volume of saline water; meanwhile

the TAPT groups were given appropriate liquid (ig

for 8 weeks)

while the control and the model groups were given the same volume of distilled water. The step-down test and the Y-maze test were adopted to reflect the learning and memory of mice; and the colorimetric method was used to determine the cellular content of malondialdehyde (MDA)

the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Result: Compared to the model group

the TAPT treatment brought mice to shorten the time to reach the final in the Y-maze training at (21.9±2.9)

(20.8±3.2)

( 19.7±2.8) times respectively

and also reduce the mistakes in memory test at (3.8±1.4)

(3.2±1.7)

(1.7±1.1) times respectively. SOD activity in brain tissues of aging model mice reduced evidently at(28.98±13.08) U·mg-1

while MDA and AChE contents increased evidently at (2.78±0.21)nmol·mg-1

( 1.05±0.16)U·mg-1

while TAPT treatment could evidently decrease MDA(P<0.01) and AChE contents(P<0.01)

and increase SOD activity(P<0.01). Conclusion: TAPT treatment could help aging model mice induced by D-galactose evidently to enhance their learning and memory

which might be related to its antioxidation and its inhibitory activity to AChE.