Gastrodiae Rhizoma Improve Cognitive Functions and Regulate Keap1/Nrf2-ARE Signal Pathway in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice

Yu- Mei Gao, Yi Jiang, Xiao- Xia Hu, Jian Liu, Yi Zhao, Xiang- Chun Shen and Xiao- Lan Qi

Background and Objective: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR, Chinese name “Tian Ma”) is known as a precious traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of clinical applications. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and the potential therapeutic mechanisms of GR in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 double-transgenic (APP/PS1_DT) mice. Materials and Methods: Mice in the prevention group were intragastrically administrated with 1.5 g kg^–1 GR daily from the age of 2 months to 6- and 10 months, respectively, mice in the treatment group were treated at the age of 6- and 10 months and continued for 14 days. The learning and memory abilities, synapse morphology, the mRNA and protein levels of synaptic and Keap1/Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway proteins in the hippocampus and the level of oxidative stress were detected. Results: Compared to the APP/PS1_DT mice, GR effectively improved the learning and memory abilities, decreased the Aβ deposition, attenuated the Aβ-induced synaptic loss and oxidative stress, increased synaptic proteins levels, maintained the synapse morphology and activated the Keap1/Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway. Compared with the treatment group, the above changes in the prevention group were more obvious. Conclusion: The GR could ameliorate the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1_DT mice, which may be related to its attenuation of the neurotoxic effects of Aβ in vivo.

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