The invention provides new application of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), diindolyl
methane (DIM) and derivative compounds thereof in preparation of medicaments for treating
senile dementia. By improving the expression of
intracellular free radical resistant specific genes, the medicaments can enhance the automatic free radical clearing capacity of cells and lighten the harm of free radicals to the cells and tissues. The DIM, the I3C and the derivative compounds can effectively reduce the pathogenetic symptoms of
senile dementia animal models, obviously improve the
dyskinesia of SAM-P / 8 mice, obviously improve the
superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of brain tissues of the SAM-P / 8 mice, reduce the
methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA) content of brain tissues, reduce the
choline esterase activity of the brain tissues and enhance the activities of Na<+>-K<+>-ATP
enzyme and Ca<2+>-ATP
enzyme of the brain tissues, so the DIM, the I3C and the derivative compounds can be used as candidate medicament molecules for treating the
senile dementia. Meanwhile, the adopted small molecular substances are easily obtained, are low in price, stable in properties and convenient for storage and transportation, and have broad application prospect.