ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effect of Tonifying Spleen and Stomach Yuanqi Prescriptions including ginseng, Dabuyuan Decoction and Xixin Decoction on spatial learning and memory ability, hippocampal morphological function and cortical cholinergic system in rapidly aging dementia model mice (SAMP8), and investigate the possible mechanism on treating Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Male SAMP8 mice aged three months were randomly divided into model group, donepezil group, ginseng group, Xixin Decoction group and Dabuyuan Decoction group. Male anti-aging mice (SAMR1) were used as control group. In addition to control 3 months). The spatial learning and memory ability of mice was observed by Morris water maze test; The synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal CA3 region was observed by transmission electron microscope; The density of neurons in CA1 area and the level of Aβ in brain tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry; The activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in hippocampus were detected by biochemical method. Results: The average escape latency of mice treated with Tonifying Spleen and Stomach Yuanqi Prescriptions was decreased, the swimming time and the number of passing through the platform were increased significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01). The number of Aβ positive cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, 0.01), the density of NueN positive cells had no significant difference. The level of CHAT activity was increased (P < 0.05, 0.01), and the level of AChE activity was decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The effect of Tonifying Spleen and Stomach Yuanqi prescriptions improve the spatial recognition and learning and memory abilities in SAMP8 mice, of which mechanism may be related to affect the synaptic structure of hippocampus, promote the repair of hippocampal neurons, reduce the expression of Aβ in mouse brain, and regulate the cholinergic system in cortex.