We previously reported that a total methanolic extract of the underground part of Angelica gigas Nakai (Umbelliferae) (here-in-after abbreviated AG) significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. We characterized 12 coumarin derivatives including both decursin and decursinol from extracts of AG. In this study, we evaluated the anti-amnestic activity of decursin, a major coumarin constituent isolated from AG, in vivo using ICR mice with amnesia induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, s.c.). Decursin, when administered to mice at 1 and 5 mg/kg body weight i.p., significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia as measured in both the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. Moreover, decursin significantly inhibited AChE activity by 34% in the hippocampus of treated mice. These results indicate that decursin may exert anti-amnestic activity in vivo through inhibition of AChE activity in the hippocampus.
        
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Kang SY, Lee KY, Park MJ, Kim YC, Markelonis GJ, Oh TH (2003) Decursin from Angelica gigas mitigates amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice Neurobiol Learn Mem79: 11-8
Kang SY, Lee KY, Park MJ, Kim YC, Markelonis GJ, Oh TH (2003) Neurobiol Learn Mem79: 11-8