Joint Effects of Gastrodia Elata Blume and Donkey-hide Gelatin on Decrease of Nitric Oxide in Cerebellum and Impairment of Learning and Memory Induced by Taking Lead in Rats

Objective To observe and explore the antagonism of gastrodia elata blume(GTEB)and donkey-hide gelatin(DHG)combined against the impairment of learning and memory induced by taking lead in rats.Methods Wistar male rats were monopolizedly and jointly given GTEB(4.0g·kg^-1 ·d^-1)and DHG(1.0g·kg^-1 ·d^-1)after being poinsoned with lead by mouth everyday for three months.The capacity of learning and memory of each group was measured by swimming test every month.In the end,the rats were decapitated and nitric oxide(NO) in cerebellum tissue was measured immediately.Results In swimming test(seeking for platform or anchor in water),the decrease of number of lead controls directly seeking for anchor was high significantly compared with the blank control(P<0.01).GTEB alone did significantly increase the number of lead taking rats directly seeking for anchor compared with the lead controls(P<0.05;the second and third month,P<0.1).DHG monopolized did also significantly increase the number of seeking for anchor(P<0.05).The increase of number of lead taking rats seeking for anchor induced by GTEB and DHG combined was much more significant than that induced by GTEB and DHG monopolized(P<0.01).The NO in cerebellum of lead taking rats was significantly decreased compared with the blank control.The NO in cerebellum of lead exposed rats was significantly increased by GTEB monopolized compared to lead controls(P<0.05;the low lead leves P<0.01).DHG alone did also significantly increase NO of cerebellum of lead exposed rats(P<0.05).The increase of NO in lead exposed rats induced by GTEB and DHG combined was much more significant than that induced by GTEB and DHG monopolized(P<0.01).Conclusion The impairment of learning and memory induced by lead is significantly improved by GTEB and DHG monopolized,but the effects of GTEB and DHG combined on that was more significant.