Effects of (-)-sesamin on chronic stress-induced memory deficits in mice

This study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on memory deficits induced by chronic electric footshock (EF)-induced stress in mice. Mice were treated with (-)-sesamin (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o., daily for 21 day) prior to chronic EF stress (0.6 mA, 1 s every 5 s for 3 min, daily for 21 day). Transfer retention latencies in the elevated plus maze test and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (type 1) phosphorylation in the hippocampus increased with chronic EF stress, and they were reduced by treatment with (-)sesamin at both doses. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), which were reduced by chronic EF stress, were increased by treatment with (-)-sesamin. Retention latencies in the passive avoidance test and dopamine levels in the substantia nigra-striatum were also reduced by chronic EF stress, and similarly recovered with (-)-sesamin treatment. These results suggest that (-)-sesamin ameliorates the effects of chronic EF stress induced spatial and habit learning memory deficits by modulating both NMDA receptor and dopaminergic neuronal systems. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.