Regulation of Histone Acetylation by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease （AD） is a neurodegenerative disease with progressive losses of memory and cognitive function as the main clinical manifestations. It is difficult to be cured because of the complex pathogenesis. Histone acetylation regulates gene transcription and chromosome structure remodeling without changing the coding sequences of genes， participating in the pathological process of AD via modulating the amyloid beta-protein （Aβ） deposition， Tau phosphorylation， neuron growth， and synaptic plasticity. Traditional Chinese medicine can prevent and control AS via multiple targets and pathways from a holistic view. Animal and cell experiments have proven that traditional Chinese medicine can attenuate AD by regulating histone acetylation. Focusing on the key role of histone acetylation in AD， this study reviews the relevant studies in the last five years from the aspects of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions. The available studies suggest that the main mechanisms involve antagonizing apoptosis， inhibiting oxidative stress， ameliorating Tau and Aβ deposition， maintaining synaptic function， nourishing neurons， and repairing myelin sheath. The treatment methods include invigorating kidney and tranquilizing mind， tonifying spleen and harmonizing middle energizer， and opening orifices and resolving phlegm. The commonly used herbal medicines in compound prescriptions include Poria， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Chuanxiong Rhizoma， Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma， and Paeoniae Radix Alba. The findings indicate that traditional Chinese medicine demonstrates great potential in the prevention and treatment of AD， providing a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment and research of AD.