Review Article

Extracts or Active Components from Acorus gramineus Aiton for Cognitive Function Impairment: Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

Table 1

Basic characteristics of the included studies.

Study (years)Species (sex, )WeightRandom methodModel (method)AnestheticMethod of administrationOutcome index (time)Intergroup differences
Experimental groupControl group

Yang et al. [17]SD rats (mix, 7/7)NRNRChronic lead-induced dysmnesia modelCO2β-Asarone (2.5, 10, and 40 mg kg-1, ip); from 9 to 11 weeks old; once daily for 3 weeksDistilled water (same volume, ip); from 9 to 11 weeks old; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (swimming speed)(2)
(3) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(3)
(4) MWM test (times crossed the platform)(4)
(5) Dendritic spine density(5)

Wei et al., 2013AβPP/PS1 double-transgenic mice (13/13)NRNRAβPP/PS1 double-transgenic miceNRβ-Asarone (7 and 21 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 4 monthsTween 80 (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 4 months(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Cell viability(2)

Sundaramahalingam et al. [18]Wister strain albion rats (male, 6/6)200-220 gNRNoise stress induced memory impairment modelNRα-Asarone (9 mg kg-1, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 dTween 80 (same volume, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 d(1) RAM test (number of errors)(1)
(2) Hsp 70 mRNA levels(2)
(3) Ache activity(3)
(4) SOD/CAT/GPx activity(4)
(5) VC/VE/GSH levels(5)
(6) G6PD activity(6)
Wister strain albion rats (male, 6/6)200-220 gNRNoise stress exposed ratsNREthyl acetate extract (50 mg kg-1, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 dTween 80 (same volume, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 d(1) RAM test (number of errors)(1)
(2) Hsp 70 mRNA levels(2)
(3) Ache activity(3)
(4) SOD/CAT/GPx activity(4)
(5) VC/VE/GSH levels(5)
(6) G6PD activity(6)

Shin et al. [19]C57BL/6 mice (male, 12/12)25-28 gNRLPS-induced cognitive handicap modelNRα-Asarone (7.5, 15, and 30 mg kg-1, ig); 3 days before the LPS injection; once daily for 3 dNormal saline (same volume, ig); 3 days before the LPS injection; once daily for 3 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (times crossed the platform)(2)
(3) TNF-α/IL-1β mRNA levels(3)
(4) CA1 neurons count(4)
(5) TUNEL-labeled cells count(5)
(6) BACE1/Iba1 protein expressions(6)

Ma et al. [11]Six-week-old NIH mice (male, 6/6)20-25 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalWater extract (20 mg g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline; (same volume, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Aβ positive cells count(2)
(3) DCx expression
(4) Nestin positive cells count(4)
Six-week-old NIH mice (male, 6/6)20-25 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalEssential oil (20 mg g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline; (same volume, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Aβ positive cells count(2)
(3) DCx expression(3)
(4) Nestin positive cells count(4)
Six-week-old NIH mice (male, 6/6)20-25 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalDefatted decoction (20 mg g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline; (same volume, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Aβ positive cells count(2)
(3) DCx expression(3)
(4) Nestin positive cells count(4)

Liu et al. [20]APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice (male, 11/11)NRNRAPPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic miceChloral hydrateβ-Asarone (21.2, 42.4, and 84.8 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2.5 monthsTween 80 (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2.5 months(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(2)
(3) MWM test (times crossed the platform)(3)
(4) SYP/GluR1 expression(4)

Limón et al. [21]Wistar rats (male, 8/8)230–250 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelChloral hydrateα-Asarone (10 mg kg-1, i.h.); after injection of amyloid-β; once daily for 16 dNormal saline; (same volume, ig); after injection of amyloid-β; once daily for 16 d(1) RAM test (percentage of correct responses)(1)
(2) Nitrite levels(2)

Li et al. [22]Wistar rats (female, 7/7)150–180 gNRD-gal and AlCl3 induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalβ-Asarone (25, 50 and 100 mg kg-1, i.h.); 28 d after injection of AlCl3 and D-gal; once daily for 14 dNormal saline; (same volume, i.h); after the first MWM test; once daily for 14 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(2)
(3) MWM test (times crossed the platform)(3)
(4) MWM test (swimming speed)(4)
(5) ET-1, eNOS, and APP expression(5)
(6) Lactic acid and pyruvic acid content(6)
(7) Na+- K+ ATPase activity(7)
(8) rCBF(8)

Zhang et al. [5]Aged Kunming mice (male, 10/10)40-50 gNRAged miceNREssential oil (0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 g kg-1, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 dTween 80 (same volume, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Aged Kunming mice (male, 10/10)40-50 gNRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 g kg-1, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 dTween 80 (same volume, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Aged Kunming mice (male, 10/10)40-50 gNREthanol-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 g kg-1, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 dTween 80 (same volume, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 15 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Aged SD rats (male, 10/10)550-650 gNRAged ratsNREssential oil (0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 g kg-1, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 dTween 80 (same volume, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
(2) NE, DA and 5-HT level(2)
(3) AChE activity(3)
(4)
Aged SD rats (male, 10/10)550-650 gNRSodium nitrite-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 g kg-1, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 dTween 80 (same volume, orally); onset the experiment; once daily for 30 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
(2)

Lee et al. [10]SD rats (male, 5/7)250-280 gNRMCAO-induced cognitive impairments modelIsofluraneAGA (100 mg kg-1, po); after occlusion; once daily for 21 dNormal saline; (same volume, i.h); after occlusion; once daily for 21 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Cell density(2)

Lee et al. [23]SD rats (male, 7/7)200-220 gNRChronic corticosterone-exposed modelSodium pentobarbitalβ-Asarone (50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1, ip); 30 min prior to the CORT; once daily for 21 dNormal saline; (same volume, ip); 30 min prior to the CORT; once daily for 21 d(1) MWM test (swimming speed)(1)
(2) serum CORT levels(2)
(3) BDNF and CREB expression(3)
(4) Bax and Bcl-2 mRNAs expression(4)

Kumar et al. 2012ICR mice (8/8)NRNRScopolamine-induced amnesic model modeNRα-Asarone (3, 10, and 30 mg kg-1, po); 15 d before scopolamine injection; once daily for 15 d0.5% methylcellulose solution containing 1% Tween 80 (same volume, po); 15 d before scopolamine injection; once daily for 15 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) AchE activity(2)
(3) MDA levels(3)
(4) SOD activity(4)

Kim et al. [25]SD rats (male, 5/5)260–280 gNRIbotenic acid-induced amnesiaSodium pentobarbitalAGA (100 mg kg-1,ip); after surgery; once daily for 3 weeksSaline (same volume, ip); after surgery; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) ChAT positive neurons count(2)
(3) AchE neurons density(3)

Geng et al. [26]SD rats (male, 20/20)220-240 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalβ-Asarone (12.5, 25, or 50 mg kg-1, ig); 3 d after Aβ (1-42) hippocampus injection; once daily for 28 dSaline (same volume, ip); 3 d after Aβ (1-42) hippocampus injection; once daily for 28 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (times crossed the platform)(2)
(3) Annexin V-positive cells(3)
(4) Caspase-3 and Caspase-3 mRNA express(4)
(5) Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels(5)
(6) Bcl-w, and Bcl-w mRNA express(6)
(7) P-JNK express(7)

Chen et al. [27]SAMP8 mice (13/13)NRNRSAMP8 miceNRβ-Asarone (34 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 monthsTween 80 (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 months(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) MWM test (escape latency)(2)
(3) LC3-positive cells(3)
(4) Beclin express(4)
(5) 1p62 express(5)
(6) ROCK1 express(6)
(7) GAP43, MAP2 and SYN expression(7)
(8) GAP43, MAP2 and SYN positive cells(8)
(9) Lipofuscin-positive cells(9)

Ma et al. [28]NIH mice (male, 6/6)18-20 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalWater extract (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (same volume, ig) after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Beta-amyloid IOD(2)
NIH mice (male, 6/6)18-20 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalDefatted decoction (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (same volume, ig) after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Beta-amyloid IOD(2)
NIH mice (male, 6/6)18-20 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalEssential oil (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (same volume, ig) after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) Beta-amyloid IOD(2)

Tian et al. [29]NIH mice (male, 6/6)18-20 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalWater extract (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (0.2 ml/10 g, ig); after surgery; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) NOS activity(2)
NIH mice (male, 6/6)18- 0 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalDefatted decoction (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (0.2 ml/10 g, ig); after surgery; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(2)
(3) NOS activity(3)
NIH mice (male, 6/6)18-20 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalEssential oil (0.02 g g-1, ig); after the first MWM test; once daily for 3 weeksNormal saline (0.2 ml/10 g, ig); after surgery; once daily for 3 weeks(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) NOS activity(2)

Zhou et al. [30]SD rats (male, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced AD modelNREssential oil (12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 21 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 21 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) GFAP - positive cells(3)
(4) SOD content(4)
(5) MDA content(5)

Wang GM et al., 2017Kunming mice (mix, 12/12)5-6 weeksNRChronic restraint stress-induced cognitive impairments modeNREssential oil (4.5 g kg-1, ig), onset the experiment; twice daily for 28 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 28 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) Body mass(3)
(4) Plasma cortisol levels(4)

Hu et al. [32]Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium nitrite-induced amnesic modelNREssential oil (0.053 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium nitrite-induced amnesic modelNRDefatted decoction (5 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium nitrite-induced amnesic modelNRα-Asarone (0.024 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium nitrite-induced amnesic modelNRβ-Asarone (0.037 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before sodium nitrite injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNREthanol-induced amnesic modelNREssential oil (0.053 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNREthanol-induced amnesic modelNRDefatted decoction (5 g kg-1, ig); 21d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNREthanol-induced amnesic modelNRα-Asarone (0.024 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNREthanol-induced amnesic modelNRβ-Asarone (0.037 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium pentobarbital-induced amnesic modelNREssential oil (0.053 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium pentobarbital-induced amnesic modelNRDefatted decoction (5 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium pentobarbital-induced amnesic modelNRα-Asarone (0.024 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
Kunming mice (male, 11/11)18-20 gNRSodium pentobarbital-induced amnesic modelNRβ-Asarone (0.037 g kg-1, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 dTween 80 (same volume, ig); 21 d before ethanol injection; once daily for 21 d(1) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)

Chen et al. [33]ICR mice (male, 10/10)Random number tableD-gal-induced dementia modelNRWater extract (70, 35, 17.5, or 8.75 mg kg-1, ig); 1 week after D-galactose injection; once daily for 7 weeksDistilled water (same volume, ig); 1 week after D-galactose injection; once daily for 7 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) MDA levels(3)
(4) SOD activity(4)

Gu et al. [34]ICR mice (male, 10/10)Random number tableScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (70, 35, 17.5, or 8.75 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeksNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeks(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
ICR mice (male, 10/10)Random number tableNaNO2-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (70, 35, 17.5, or 8.75 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeksNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeks(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
ICR mice (male, 10/10)Random number tableEthanol-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (70, 35, 17.5, or 8.75 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeksNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeks(1) ST test (escape latency)(1)
(2) ST test (number of errors)(2)
(3) AchE activity(3)
Wistar rats (male, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (35, 17.5, or 8.75 mg kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 4 weeksNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 2 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)

Wu et al., 2004Aged NIH mice (male, 10/10)NRNRAged miceNREssential oil (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) AchE activity(2)
(3) C-jun express(3)
Aged NIH mice (male, 10/10)NRNRAged miceNRβ-Asarone (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of errors)(2)
(3) AchE activity(3)
(4) C-jun express(4)
Aged NIH mice (male, 10/10)NRNRAged miceNRWater extract (0. 01075 ml g-1 g, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) AchE activity(2)
(3) C-jun express(3)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNREthanol-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) ST test (escape latency)(1)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRNaNO2-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test(number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRNaNO2-induced dysmnesia modelNRβ-Asarone (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRNaNO2-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRβ-Asarone (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
Kunming mice (male, 10/10)NRNRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (0. 01075 ml g-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 10 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 10 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test(number of errors)(2)

Wen et al., 2009ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NREthanol-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(1) ST test (escape latency)(1)
ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRNaNO2-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(2) EY-M test (number of errors)(1)
ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(1) SD test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SD test (number of errors)(2)
ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNRWater extract (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (3 and 12 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; twice daily for 14 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)

Yang et al. [37]SD rats (male, 12/12)NRAβ1-42-induced AD modelNRβ-Asarone (10, 20, and 30 mg kg-1, ig); after the model finished; twice daily for 28 dNS (same volume, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 28 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) Astrocyte activity(3)

Zhou et al. [38]SD rats (male,10/10)200-250 gNRD-gal- and AlCl3-induced AD modelNRα-Asarone (10, 25 mg kg-1, ip); after the after model finished; once daily for 28 dNS (same volume, ip); after the model finished; once daily for 28 d(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) Aβ and tau protein expression(2)
(3) ACh levels(3)
(4) AChE levels(4)
(5) ChAT levels(5)

Jiang et al., 2007Kunming mice (mix, 10/10)18-20 gNRAlCl3-induced AD modelNRβ-Asarone (1.06, 2.12, and 4.24 mg 100 g-1, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 2 monthsNS (same volume, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 2 months(1) MWM test (number of errors)(1)
(2) SOD levels(2)
(3) MAD levels(3)

Huang et al. [40]FMR1gene knock mice (16/17)17-18 gNRFragile X syndrome modelNRα-Asarone (3, 6, 9, 12, 24 mg kg-1, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 8 dNS (same volume, ip); onset the experiment; once daily for 8 d(1) SD test (number of errors)(1)
(2) P-Akt expression(2)
(3) Akt expression(3)

Wang BL et al., 2017SD rats (male, 15/15)Random number tableAβ1-42-induced AD modelPhenytoin sodiumβ-Asarone (10, 20, and 30 mg kg-1, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 4 weeksNS (same volume, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 4 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) HIF levels(3)

Guo et al. [42].Kunming mice (male, 11/11)Random block allocation methodScopolamine-induced AD modelNRβ-Asarone (21.2 mg kg-1, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 14 dNS (same volume, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 14 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)

Jiang et al. [43]Wistar rats (mix, 8/8)250-300 gNRSTZ-induced AD modelNREssential oil (5, 10 and 20 g kg-1, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 20 dSolvent (same volume, ig); onset the experiment; once daily for 20 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) SOD levels(2)
(3) MAD levels(3)

Yang et al. [44]Wistar rats (10/10)NRPTZ-induced epilepsy modelNRα-Asarone (29 mg kg-1, ig); after PTZ injection; twice daily for 7 dNS (same volume, ig); after PTZ injection; twice daily for 7 d(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(2)
Wistar rats (10/10)NRPTZ-induced epilepsy modelNRAGA (2.35 g kg-1, ig); after PTZ injection; twice daily for 7 dNS (same volume, ig); after PTZ injection; twice daily for 7 d(1) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(1)
(2) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(2)

Wang et al. [45]ICR mice (mix, 10/10)NRScopolamine-induced dysmnesia modelNREssential oil (100, 150, and 300 mg kg-1, ig); before the experiment; once daily for 7 dNS (same volume, ig); before the experiment; once daily for 7 d(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) MWM test (number of platform crossing)(2)
(3) MWM test (time spent in target quadrant)(3)

Ma et al. [46]SD rats (male, 6/6)260-280 gNRAβ1-42-induced AD modelSodium pentobarbitalβ-Asarone (12.5, 25, 50 mg kg-1, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 4 weeksNS (same volume, ig); after the model finished; once daily for 4 weeks(1) MWM test (escape latency)(1)
(2) GA P-43 mRNA levels(2)
(3) SYP mRNA levels(3)
(4) PSD-95 mRNA levels

Ach: acetylcholine; AchE: acetylcholinesterase; SD rats: Sprague-Dawley rats; NIH mice: National Institutes of Health mice; SAMP8 mice: senescence-accelerated mouseprone 8 mice; AD: Alzheimer’s disease; AlCl3: aluminum trichloride; ChAT: acetylcholine transferase; D-gal: D-galactose; i.g.: intragastrical injection; i.p.: intraperitoneal injection; i.h.: hypodermic injection; MWM test: Morris water maze test; MCAO: middle cerebral artery occlusion; MDA: malondialdehyde; GSH-PX: glutathione peroxidase; NR: not report; SD test: step down test; STZ: streptozotocin; SOD: superoxide dismute; HIF: hypoxia-inducible factor; GSH-Px: glutathione peroxidase; NE: norepinephrine; 5-TH: 5-hydroxytryptamine; DA: dopamine; SYN/SYN: synaptophysin; NOS: nitric oxide synthase; Bcl-2: B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2; MAP2: microtubule-associated protein 2; RAM: radial eight-arm maze; EY-M: electric Y-maze; Aβ1-42: amyloid beta 1-42; PTZ: pent ylenetet razol; NS: normal saline.