ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of dipsacus on the expression of β-amyloid in parietal cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease model rats.Methods A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,dipsacus group and vitamin E group (n=10,each)General situation of rats was observed after 42 days of dipsacus treatment.The ability of learning and memory in rats was tested by Morris water maze.The content of β-amyloid in parietal cortex and hippocampus of each group rats were measured using double antibody sandwich method.Results Model group compared with control group showed that general conditions deteriorated markedly;escaping delitescence was prolonged significantly(P＜0.01) ; the activity time on the former platform quadrant reduced significantly (t=4.6261,P=0.0002) ; the number of crossing the former platform reduced significantly (t=6.5335,P=0.0000) ; the content of Aβ in parietal cortex and hippocampus increased significantly (t=4.2812,P=0.0004) (t=5.2499,P=0.0001).Dipsacus group and vitamin E group compared with model group showed that general condition improved significantly;escape latency was shortened significantly (P＜ 0.01); the activity time on the former platform quadrant increased significantly [(45.76±12.15) s,(48.70±10.25) s and (30.20±10.48) s (t=3.0666,3.9908,P=0.0066,0.0009)]; the number of crossing the former platform increased significantly [(3.02±1.19) t/2min,(3.56±0.85) t/2min and (1.43 ± 1.24) t/2min (t=2.9256,4.4804,P=0.0090,0.0003)]; the content of Aβ in parietal cortex and hippocampus reduced significantly in parietal cortex [(280.37-51.40) pg/g,(263.14 ± 45.52) pg/g versus (337.46 ±70.51) pg/g (t=2.1164,2.8003,P=0.0485,0.0118)],in hippocampus [(295.60±67.58)pg/g,(274.38±57.56)pg/g versus (388.26±83.72)pg/g(t=2.9256,4.4804,P=0.0090,0.0003)].Conclusions Dipsacus can reduce expression of Aβ in brain areas related to general intelligence that may have anti-Alzheimer's disease action.The active ingredients of dipsacus may be natural vitamin E.