Evodia lepta Merr. (Evodia lepta) is a well-known
traditional Chinese medicine, which has been widely used in
herbal tea. We previously reported that the
coumarin compounds from the root of Evodia lepta exhibited
neuroprotective effects. However, whether Evodia lepta could inhibit NLRP3
inflammasome in
dementia was still unknown. In this study, the components of the Evodia lepta extract were identified by HPLC-Q-TOF HRMS. We employed a
scopolamine-treated mouse model. Evodia lepta extract (10 or 20 mg/kg) and
donepezil were treated by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. Following the behavioral tests, oxidative stress levels were measured. Then, Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis were used to evaluate the expressions of NLRP3
inflammasome. 14 major components of the Evodia lepta extract were identified by HPLC-Q-TOF HRMS. The results of Morris water maze, object recognition task and open field test indicated that Evodia lepta extract could ameliorate
cognitive impairment in
scopolamine-treated mice. Evodia lepta extract improved
cholinergic system. Moreover, Evodia lepta extract improved the expressions of PSD95 and
BDNF. Evodia lepta extract suppressed neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis. In addition, Evodia lepta extract inhibited NLRP3
inflammasome in the hippocampus of
scopolamine-treated mice. Evodia lepta extract could protect against
cognitive impairment by inhibiting NLRP3
inflammasome in
scopolamine-treated mice.