Tzu Chi University Discovered that Biguanide Marine Compounds Can Enhance Memory Retrieval

Memory is one of the important functions of the brain. Because of memory loss, life loses a lot of meaning. Other than dementia that is well known to the general public, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism, are accompanied by different levels of memory retrieval dysfunction. A team led by Professor Ingrid Liu, faculty member of TCU’s Institute of Medical Sciences, consisting Dr. Chien-Chang Chen of Academia Sinica, and the members from Sun Yat-sen University and National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, found that a diterpene marine compound can enhance mice’s memory retrieval without obvious side effects.

Professor Ingrid Liu indicated that this biguanide marine compound can enhance memory retrieval in normal mice, and can also cure the symptoms of memory loss in mice lacking T-type calcium channel. Her laboratory has confirmed that after removing T-type calcium channel Cav3.2 gene in mice, memory retrieval of these mice became difficult. Human studies have confirmed that Cav3.2 gene is associated with absence epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia in childhood. These three types of diseases have different levels of difficulties in memory retrieval. Nowadays, drugs for treating memory loss can only slow memory degradation, but not fully restore the memory function and cause the digestive side effects of nausea and vomiting. These research findings will help develop new drugs that can be applied to the clinic in the future. Professor Ingrid Liu pointed out that Taiwan is a maritime country with abundant marine ecosystem. However, our research and understanding of seaborne resources are still limited. The scientific community in Taiwan can work harder to develop marine sciences, and making it as an unique area of research. Professor Liu also stressed that when conducting relevant research, we also should consider the importance of marine environmental protection and marine conservation, seeking sustainable development.

The study was completed by Yu-Chun Huang and Yu-Lun Hsu, two master’s students of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics of Tzu Chi University. Yu-Lun Hsu confirmed that the biguanide compound enhances memory function in neurobehavioral, demonstrating that the compound can enhance memory function and treat the memory retrieval defects in Cav3.2 knockout mice. Yu-Chun Huang further clarified the mechanism of drug action by electrophysiology approach, confirming that this compound can suppress the outflow of potassium ions to reduce the threshold of neuronal action potentials. Nerve conduction is more efficient for enhancing memory retrieval. The study was published in the October 25, 2018 issue of Marine Drugs, which ranks fifth among international journals in the field of Medicinal Chemistry.

# Public link: https://doi.org/10.3390/md16110405