Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of An-Shen-Bu-Nao syruP(AS)on the learning and memory ability and BDNF expression in the hippocampus of sleePdeprivation(SD)rats.METHODS: 75 rats were divided into groups of control , control +AS (0.02 ml·kg^-1), SD +distillated water (DW), SD +AS (0.02 ml·kg^-1), and SD +AS (0.06 ml·kg^-1).All rats were fed with AS or DW for 2 weeks , and they were subjected to sleePdeprivation for 4 days , then the passive avoidance was tested for learning and memory.Also the BDNF expression in the hippocampus was tested with western blot after sacrifice.RESULTS: Compared with the control rats , SD rats had the significantly reduced latency in passive avoidance test , showing the decreased learning and memory ability.SD combined with AS (0.06 ml·kg^-1) rats showed significantly longer latency than the SD rats (P<0.05), indicating the better learning and memory ability than the sleePdeprivation rats ;BDNF expression was significantly higher in the rats of SD combined with AS (0.06 ml·kg-1)than the SD rats.CONCLUSION: An-Shen-Bu-Nao SyruPcan effectively improve the learning and memory ability of sleePdeprivation rats , and the enhancement of BDNF expression may contribute to this effect.

Key words: Anshenbunao syrup, sleePdeprivation, learning and memory, BDNF, hippocampus, rat