Abstract: ［Abstract］ ObjectiveTo study the effects of Rhodosin on cognition in rats with vascular demedtia(VD), and to explore the mechanisms of its neuprotective effects. MethodsThe VD group rats were established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Cognitive function was tested by the Morris water maze experiment after Rhodosin treatment for 4 weeks. The expression of orgotein superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) (oxidative stress indicators) was detected by the kit. The protein expression of p38, pp38 and caspase3 were detected by western blot. Results In VD group, the cognitive ability was declined accompanied by decreased SOD and increased MDA, pp38, caspase3 expression. The cognitive ability in Rhodosin group was significantly enchanced, and Rhodosin  administration reversed the changes of SOD, MDA, pp38 and caspase3 expression accordingly. ConclusionRhodosin could improve the spatial learning and memory ability of VD rats significantly. Its therapeutic mechanisms may be through its antioxidative stress effect and inhibiting caspase3dependent apoptosis via suppressing the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Key words: dementia, vascular; , Rhodosin; , oxidative stress