Fumanjian, a Classic Chinese Herbal Formula, Can Ameliorate the Impairment of Spatial Learning and Memory through Apoptotic Signaling Pathway in the Hippocampus of Rats with Aβ_1–40‐Induced Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and lacks disease-altering treatments. Fumanjian (FMJ), a famous classic Chinese herbal prescription for dementia, was first recorded in the Complete Works of Jingyue during the Ming Dynasty. This study aimed to investigate whether FMJ could prevent cognitive deficit and take neuroprotective effects in Aβ 1–40-induced rat model through apoptotic signaling pathway. AD model was established by bilateral injection of Aβ 1–40 into hippocampus in rat. All rats were tested for their capabilities of spatial navigation and memorization by Morris water maze. Apoptosis was tested using TUNEL staining in hippocampus neuronal cells; RT-PCR tested expression of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA; western blotting tested protein level of cleaved caspase-3. After 14 days of treatment, FMJ significantly improved the escape latency and enhanced platform-cross number compared with the Aβ 1–40-injected group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). FMJ also significantly decreased number of TUNEL-positive neuronal apoptosis and the expressions of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 and increased the expression of Bcl-2 (P < 0.01) compared with AD model group. In conclusion, FMJ exerts a protective effect against Aβ 1–40-induced learning and memory deficits and neuronal apoptosis, suggesting that FMJ could be used as a potential therapeutic formula for AD.

<p>Qingxin kaiqiao fang ameliorates memory impairment and inhibits apoptosis in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice through the MAPK pathway</p>

“…Neuronal apoptosis, an essential cellular process and a major pathway for neuronal death, plays an important role in neurodegeneration in AD. Our previous study showed that QKF, a classic Chinese herbal formula based on the well-known decoction Fumanjian, significantly improves learning and memory in rats with Aβ1-40 insult and exhibits antiapoptotic effects, suggesting that QKF has therapeutic potential for AD 29. However, the mechanism by which QKF inhibits the apoptosis of AD neurons remains unknown.…”

Yuan‑zhi‑san inhibits tau protein aggregation in an Aβ1‑40‑induced Alzheimer's disease rat model via the ubiquitin‑proteasome system

“…Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: i) Sham group (n=10; treated with vehicle); ii) AD model group (n=10; treated with Aβ 1-40 and vehicle); iii) AD model + donepezil group (n=10; treated with Aβ 1-40 and donepezil); and iv) AD model + YZS group (n=10; treated with Aβ 1-40 and YZS). The Aβ-induced AD rat model was established as described previously (22)(23)(24). Following anesthesia with intraperitoneal injection of 0.45% pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg), rats were secured on a stereotaxic device.…”

Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe Improves Cognitive Performance, Inhibits Apoptosis, and Reduces Pathological Deposits in APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice via the PI3K/Akt Pathway

“…Based on the existing studies, the metabolism of Aβ can be influenced by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway [7], which is related to a variety of intracellular regulation and is one of the key pathways for cell cycle regulation and apoptosis [8]. At present, the main methods of treating AD at home and abroad are western medicine and rehabilitation [9]; the former causes undesirable side effects, and the latter is costly and unstable. Given the relative poverty status of the conventional therapy, more and more researchers turn their attention to the traditional Chinese medicine [10,11].…”

“…(2) Yin deficiency (night sweat or spontaneous sweating, dry tongue, and fast pulse). But one who can be treated by QKR needs to have a healthy appetite [9,12]. QKR is made up of 10 kinds of Chinese herbs, including Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng di huang), Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai shao), Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai dong), Cortex Moutan Radicis (Mu dan pi), Poria cocos (Fu ling), Herba Dendrobii Rhizoma (Shi hu), Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Shi chang pu), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhi mu), Sophorae flavescentis (Ku shen), and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen pi).…”