In the quest to alleviate symptoms of ketamine addiction and akin neuronal degenerations, alkaloids of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng) were found to have curative effect. This study investigated whether or not Gouteng can ameliorate ketamine induced neuronal damage. Different groups of mice were administered treatments with ketamine, Gouteng, ketamine, followed by Gouteng (G+K) and saline. Behavioral test was carried out to unravel Gouteng’s effect singly or after interaction with ketamine on memory. Histopathology was done to determine cell death and biochemical assays to compare the levels of neurotransmitters among different treatment groups. Performance of the G+K group in consolidated memory test was far better than the ketamine group, followed, as second, by Gouteng group. In histopathology, cell death was observed in prefrontal cortices and hippocampi of the ketamine group; with predominate loss of pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortices, while no apparent loss of cells was observed in G+K group and Gouteng group, pointing to a neuroprotective ability of Gouteng. For neurotransmitters, ketamine group had higher level of serotonin than G+K group and Gouteng group. For GABA, G+K group had the highest level. Ketamine was documented to tag onto GABAA receptors that probably affected the depressive phase of ketamine addiction. Gouteng itself could be used as a hypnotic and thus the high GABA level warranted the effect. Dopamine level, on the other hand, was highest in ketamine group and interaction with Gouteng lowered it. On the whole, Gouteng appeared to protect a portion of memory and enhance survival of neurons in ketamine treated animals.

Key words: Ketamine, CNS, neurotransmitters, consolidated memory, cell death, Uncaria rhynchophylla.