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Huannao Yicong Formula (还脑益聪方) regulates γ-secretase activity through APH-1 and PEN-2 gene ragulation pathways in hippocampus of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice

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Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To observe the effects of Huannao Yicong Formula (还脑益聪方, HYF) on learning and memory and it’s regulating effect on γ-secretase related anterior pharynx defective 1 (APH-1), presenilin enhancer-2 (PEN-2) signaling pathway, so as to discuss and further clarify the mechanism of HYF on Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods

Sixty APP/PS1 transgenic mice, randomly allocated into 4 groups, the model group, the donepezil group (0.65 mg/kg), HYF low-dose group (HYF-L, 5.46 g/kg) and HYF high-dose group (HYF-H, 10.92 g/kg), 15 for each group. Another 15 C57BL/6J mice with the same age and same genetic background were allocated into the control group, proper dosage of drugs or distilled water were given by intragastric administration once daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of administration, the learning and memory abilities of mice in each group was evaluated by the morris water maze test, amyloid precursor protein (APP), Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels in hippocampus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, γ-secretase was detected by dual luciferase assaying, the levels of APH-1a, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and PEN-2 and their mRNA expression was measured by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

HYF can ameliorate learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by decreasing the escape latency, improving the number of platform crossing and swimming speed (P<0.01, P<0.05). HYF can decrease the levels of APP, Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42 and the activity of γ-secretase in hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease model mice. HYF can down-regulate the levels of CREB and PEN-2 and the expression of their mRNA.

Conclusion

HYF can improve the learning and memory ability by inhibiting the activity of γ-secretase through the CREB/PEN-2 signaling pathway, and this may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of HYF in Alzheimer’s disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Department, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China

    Zhi-yong Wang, Yun Wei, Mei-xia Liu, Qi Wang, Lin Liang & Hao Li

  2. Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    Zhi-yong Wang

  3. Department of Cardiology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China

    Jian-gang Liu

  4. Geriatric Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China

    Hui-min Yang

Authors
  1. Zhi-yong Wang
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  2. Jian-gang Liu
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  3. Yun Wei
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  4. Mei-xia Liu
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  5. Qi Wang
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  6. Lin Liang
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  7. Hui-min Yang
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  8. Hao Li
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Correspondence to Hao Li.

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81173383 and No. 81573819) and Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Plan "Ten Disease and Ten Medicine" (No. Z141100002214003)

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Wang, Zy., Liu, Jg., Wei, Y. et al. Huannao Yicong Formula (还脑益聪方) regulates γ-secretase activity through APH-1 and PEN-2 gene ragulation pathways in hippocampus of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 23, 270–278 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2402-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2402-3

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