Object:To observe the effect of Zhinao capsule on learning and memory

and cholinergic transmitter in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in experimental AD model rats. Methods: β-amyloid protein (β-AP) injection into lateral ventricle in rats and transforming growth factor β1(TGF β1) injection into the rat's brain tissue were applied to successfully make experimental rat model of AD on the basis of the document's experiment method improved. Step-through test and water-maze test were employed to investigate the function of learning and memory in AD model rats

and radioimmunoas-say was used to assay the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE)

and content of acetylcholine (Ach) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD model rats. Results: There obviously are impairment of learning and memory in rats of AD model induced by β-AP and TGF β1. The activity of ChAT and content of Ach was lower

and activity of AchE was higher in AD model rats than that of normal rats. Zhinao capsule could improve the impairment of learning and memory

increase the content of Ach by raising the activity of ChAt and reducing the activity of AchE in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD model rats. Conclusions: Zhinao capsule can markedly enhance the function of learning and memory of rats of AD model induced by β-AP and TGF β1 by regulating cholinergic transmitter in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD model rats.