Abstract: In order to determine the effect of the compound 962 capsule on the choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in cerebral cortex of aged rats, and to probe the anti agedness mechanism from the view of choline energy nerve. Male and female aged rats(22-month old and 24-month old) were classified into five groups young——control group, old model group, piracetem group (0.56 g/kg), 962 middle dose group (0.9 g/kg) and 962 high dose group (1.8 g/kg). All test drug was administrated for 1～2 months by ig. The choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity were measured by Fonnun and hydroxylamine colorimetry method. Results: Compound 962 improved the activity of choline acetyltransferase (P< 0.05), but it had little effect on the acetylcholinesterase in cerebral cortex of aged rats. This indicated that by affecting the central nervous system in aged rats, compound 962 capsule could improve the aging process.

Key words: traditional Chinese compound 962, aged rat, choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase