Optimized‐SopungSunkiwon, a Herbal Formula, Attenuates Aβ Oligomer‐Induced Neurotoxicity in Alzheimer’s Disease Models

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is an age-related neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by memory dysfunction, neuronal cell damage, and neuroinflammation. It is believed that AD-related pathology is mostly due to the overproduction of Aβ, especially the oligomeric form (AβO), in the brain. Evidence of the effects of multifunctional medicinal herbs in the treatment of AD has been steadily increasing. Optimized-SopungSunkiwon (OSS), a multiherbal formulation that is composed of six medicinal herbs derived from SopungSunkiwon, is a traditional medicine that is prescribed for neurodegenerative disorders in elderly patients. We previously reported that OSS showed an antiamnesic and memory enhancing effect in mice, but it is unknown whether OSS has a protective effect against AβO neurotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of OSS in AD models induced by AβO in vitro and in vivo. We found that OSS protected neuronal cells and inhibited the generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species against AβO toxicity in vitro. These results were confirmed by in vivo data that oral administration of OSS for 14 days attenuated memory impairments and neuronal cell death by modulating gliosis, glutathione depletion, and synaptic damage in the mouse hippocampus induced by AβO.

The protective effect of betulinic acid on microvascular responsivity and protein expression in alzheimer disease induced by cerebral micro‐injection of beta‐amyloid and streptozotocin

“…Moreover, it is able to reduce infracted volume in vivo in the cerebral model of ischemia/reperfusion through providing protection against oxidative/nitrosative stress and, more importantly, hypo‐perfusion via influencing NO synthase (NOS) isoforms . For more explanation, in the context of dementia, the bypassing of Aβ oligomers possibly allows this triterpenoid to limit cell death susceptibility via inhibition of glial cell activation or ROS generation . The potent anti‐inflammatory function of BA (or its derivatives) also specifies its importance on immune‐dependent diseases such as lethal endotoxemia (or Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) that trigger the levels of TNF‐alpha (increased trend) or IL‐10 (decreased trend) .…”

“…38,39 For more explanation, in the context of dementia, the bypassing of Aβ oligomers possibly allows this triterpenoid to limit cell death susceptibility via inhibition of glial cell activation or ROS generation. 15,40,41 The potent anti-inflammatory function of BA (or its derivatives) also specifies its importance on immune-dependent diseases such as lethal endotoxemia (or Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) that trigger the levels of TNF-alpha (increased trend) or IL-10 (decreased trend). 42,43 Many papers are in accordance with the current data and clearly describe a significant increase in TNF-alpha in the serum or hippocampi in dementia, while quantified IL-10 levels only represent inconclusive data; although a high expression of hippocampal IL-10 in AD transgenic mice could demonstrate a potent compensatory mechanism in the immune feedback.…”

Effects of α-Mangostin Derivatives on the Alzheimer’s Disease Model of Rats and Their Mechanism: A Combination of Experimental Study and Computational Systems Pharmacology Analysis

“…Recently, the studies on active ingredients from natural products and medicinal herbs for treating AD have attracted substantial attention. − α-Mangostin (α-M, Scheme ) is a natural xanthone separated from the mangosteen pericarp . α-M has been reported to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiparasitic, and antiobesity activities. − Recent evidence further suggests that α-M can inhibit amyloid aggregation .…”