Effect of Puerariae radix extract supplementation on the hippocampus NGF in galactose –induced aged rats

Isoflavone are known to prevent decline of cognitive function in aged rats. In the previous report, Pueraria radix extract was isoflavone‐rich and contained especially puerarin showing high antioxidative capacity. This study was aimed to determine the effect of isoflavone‐rich Pueraria radix extract on the cognitive function in ageing rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed an AIN93M‐based diet, and D‐galactose administered and fed with diets added with Pueraria radix extract to contain 0%(=ageing‐control), 0.05%(=P0.05), 0,1%(=P0.1) isoflavone. The Pueraria radix ethanol‐extract was shown to contain 8476 ㎎ isoflavone/100g dried extract, with 69.6% puerarin. After 42 days of Pueararia extract intake, weight of rats was significantly low in P0.05% and P0.1% group compared to control and aged control groups. The feed efficiency rate was significantly low in P0.1 group compared to control and aged control groups. Organ weights such as hippocampus, cerebrum and cellebrum did not show significant difference according to experimental treatment (p<0.05). The NGF and CREB expression in hippocampus increased significantly in P0.1% group. Conclusively, this study suggest that isoflavone‐rich, Puerariae radix extract may improve the decline of cognitive function in ageing rats.