ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the mechanism of Wuzang Wenyang Huayu decoction in improving the cognitive competence and the pharmacological mechanism for neurofibrillary tangles related to cyclin-dependent kinase-5(CDK-5).Method: The 10 SAMR1 mice were used as normal group,40 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model group,donepezil group (0.4 mg·kg-1·d-1),high and low dose Wuzang Wenyang Huayu decoction groups (5,1.25 g·kg-1·d-1).Drugs were administered by gastric lavage for 4 continuous weeks.Directional navigation and space exploration ability were evaluated with Morris amaze.Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of CDK-5 in brain nerve tissues.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of CDK-5 and phosphorylation of Tau protein.Meanwhile,neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissue were detected with silver staining method.Result: As compared with normal group,both CDK-5 expression and Tau protein phosphorylation in brain nerve tissues were remarkably increased in model group (PPPPPPConclusion: Wuzang Wenyang Huayu decoction can markedly improve the cognitive competence of SAMP8 mice,and the mechanism may be related to its inhibition on CDK-5 over-expression,and down-regulation of Tau protein phosphorylation and neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissue.