Effect of Sijunzi Decoction on regulation of Aβ-related proteins across blood-brain barrier / 中国中药杂志

According to traditional Chinese medicine, "spleen transport" is closely related to the metabolism of substance and energy. Studies have shown that Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a disease related to glucose and lipid metabolism and energy metabolism. The traditional Chinese medicine Jiangpi Recipe can improve the learning ability and memory of AD animal model. Sijunzi Decoction originated from Taiping Huimin Hefang Prescription is the basic prescription for strengthening and nourishing the spleen, with the effects of nourishing Qi and strengthening the spleen. In this experiment, human brain microvascular endothelial cells(HBMEC) and Sijunzi Decoction water extract(0.25, 0.5, 1 mg·L~(-1)) were pre-incubated for 2 h, and then Aβ_(25-35) oligomers(final concentration 40 μmol·L~(-1)) was added for co-culture for 22 hours. The effect of Sijunzi Decoction on the activity of Aβ_(25-35) oligomer injured cells and the expression of related proteins were investigated. Q-TOF-LC-MS was used first for principal component analysis of Sijunzi Decoction water extract. Then MTT assay was used to investigate the effect of Sijunzi Decoction water extract on the proliferation of HBMEC cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) was employed to detect the mRNA expression of GLUT1, RAGE, and LRP1. The expression of Aβ-related proteins across blood-brain barrier(RAGE, LRP1) was detected by Western blot. The results showed that 40 μmol·L~(-1) Aβ_(25-35) oligomers could induce endothelial cell damage, reduce cell survival, increase expression of RAGE mRNA and RAGE protein, and reduce expression of GLUT1 mRNA, LRP1 mRNA, and LRP1 protein. Sijunzi Decoction water extract could reduce the Aβ_(25-35) oligomer-induced cytotoxicity of HBMEC, decrease the expression of RAGE mRNA and RAGE protein, and increase the expression of GLUT1 mRNA, LRP1 mRNA and LRP1 protein. The results indicated that Sijunzi Decoction could reduce the injury of HBMEC cells induced by Aβ_(25-35) oligomer, and regulate the transport-related proteins GLUT1, RAGE and LRP1, which might be the mechanism of regulating Aβ_(25-35) transport across the blood-brain barrier.

Effect of Zhenxin Shengshui Yizhi Fang on Damage of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Induced by Aβ25-35 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the neuroprotective effect and potential mechanism of Zhenxin Shengshui Yizhi Fang(XSF) aqueous extract on human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) injury induced by amyloid-β protein(Aβ)25-35. Method::HBMEC cells damage induced by Aβ25-35 was used as Alzheimer' s disease(AD) cell model. The study included control group, Aβ25-35 group, and low, medium and high-dose XSF aqueous extract groups (125, 250, 500 mg·L-1). After treatment, the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of drugs and Aβ25-35 was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) colorimetry. Apoptosis was observed by Hoechst-33258 staining. The activity of Caspase-3 was detected by colorimetry. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP1). Result::Compared with the control group, the cell viability of Aβ25-35 group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Hoechst-33258 staining showed bright blue fluorescence, chromatin condensation, dense staining or fragmentation dense staining, whitening in color, and significant increase of the percentage of apoptotic cells (P<0.01). Caspase-3 activity increased significantly (P<0.01). Western blot showed that RAGE protein expression increased significantly (P<0.01), while low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein(LRP1), glucose transporter 1(GLUT1) and GLUT3 protein expressions decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the Aβ25-35 group, the cell viability of XSF aqueous extract groups was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The XSF aqueous extract had a more significant protective effect of than the other groups (P<0.05). The XSF aqueous extract group (500 mg·L-1) significantly inhibited the number of apoptotic cells (P<0.01), but significantly reduced the Caspase-3 activity (P<0.01). RAGE protein expression was not significantly decreased in XSF aqueous extract group (125 mg·L-1), but significantly decreased in XSF aqueous extract group (250, 500 mg·L-1, P<0.01), while LRP1, GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein expression significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion::XSF aqueous extract can attenuate the cytotoxicity of HBMEC induced by Aβ25-35 oligomer, inhibit apoptosis, decrease caspase-3 activity and RAGE protein expression, increase LRP1, GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein expressions, and reduce the abnormal accumulation and deposition of Aβ in the brain, which may be its mechanisms for prevention and treatment of AD.

Effect of Zhenxin Xingshui Yizhi Fang and Its Essential Oil Extract on Ability of Learning and Memory in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the modulating effect of Zhenxin Xingshui Yizhi Fang and its essential oil extract on cognitive deficits in mice.Method: For the purpose of this study 5 months old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice and wild-type C57BL/6JNju were selected as experimental animals.Then APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group,essential oil low and high-dose groups (12.13,48.50 mg·L-1),Zhenxin Xingshui Yizhi Fang group (0.46 g·kg-1).Meanwhile,wild-type C57BL/6JNju mice were used as a normal group.APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were treated with Zhenxin Xingshui Yizhi Fang and its essential oil extract for 22 consecutive days.Mice were subjected to a Morris water maze test and a platform test in order to determine their cognitive effect.Nissl's staining was used to observe pathological changes in brain tissue.Meanwhile,senile plaques (SP) were observed by employing Thioflavin-S staining.The expression of glucose transporter 1(GLUT1) and insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) were analyzed using immunohistochemistry techniques.The levels of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine (ACH),glutamate (GLU) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampus were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Result: The memory function was significantly reduced in model group,and severe brain injury and neuronal apoptosis were also observed in comparison to normal group (PPPPPPPConclusion: These results indicate that Zhenxin Xingshui Yizhi Fang and its essential oil extract could ameliorate cognitive deficits and GLUT1 and IRS-1 could be a possible therapeutic target for AD.It may be an interesting approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.