Study on the Mechanism of Three Kinds Extracts of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe in Improving Learning and Memory Capabilities of AD Rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of three kinds extracts (saponins, volatile components, polysaccharide components) of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe (QKR) in improving learning and memory capabilities of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A controlled comparison method was used. Totally 56 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, i.e., the normal control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Aricept group, the saponin group, the benzene group, and the polysaccharide group, 8 in each group. AD rat model was established by bilateral hippocampus injection of Aβ1-40 (2 µL, 2.5 µg/µL). The next day after modeling rats in the saponin group, the benzene group, and the polysaccharide group, the saponin group, the Aricept group were intragastrically administered with saponin (at the daily dose of 9 mL/kg, 2.1 g/mL) , benzene (at the daily dose of 3.33 mL/kg, 5.7 g/mL) , polysaccharide (at the daily dose of 8.33 mL/kg, 2.28 g/mL), Aricept (at the daily dose of 1.67 mg/kg), respectively, once a day for 2 consecutive weeks from 10 am every day. Equal volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Learning and memory capabilities were detected using water maze 2 weeks later. Expression levels of synaptotagmin-1 (Syt-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rats were detected using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Learning and memory capabilities could be improved by three kinds extracts of QKR. There was no statistical difference in the escape latency between the polysaccharide group and the model group (P >0. 05). The escape lacency was shortened in the rest treatment groups (P < 0.05). The escape latency was obviously prolonged in three kinds extracts of QKR groups, when compared with the Aricept group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, times for crossing platforms were significantly increased in the saponin group and the Aricept group (P < 0.05). Compared with the Aricept group, average times for crossing platforms were significantly lessened in three kinds extracts of QKR groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1β, GFAP, and βAPP in the cortex and hippocampus were increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of cortical Syt-1 increased in the saponin group and the benzene group; the expression of cortical IL-1β increased in the benzene group and the polysaccharide group; the expression of hippocampal GFAP increased in the three kinds extracts of QKR groups; expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1β, GFAP, and β-APP in the cortex and hippocampus decreased in the rest treatment groups (all P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Aricept group, expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1β, GFAP, and βAPP in the cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in three kinds extracts of QKR groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three kinds extracts of QKR might play roles in anti-AD possibly by decreasing expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1β, GFAP, and βAPP in the cortex and hippocampus.</p>

Effects of qingxin kaiqiao recipe volatile oil on expressions of GFAP and caspase-3 in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study effects of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe (QKR) and its volatile oil on the expressions of Abeta(25-35) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), beta-amyloid (Abeta), beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP), and Caspase-3 in the cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats induced by injecting Abeta(25-35) into the bilateral amygdala.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 32 male SD rats were selected. The AD rat model was establish by injecting Abeta(25-35) from bilateral amygdala. After modeling they were randomly divided into the model group, the Donepezil Hydrochloride group [Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablet (1.67 mg/kg), abbreviated as the DH group], the QKR group (QKR Decoction, 12.67 mL/kg), and the volatile oil group (3.33 mL/kg), 8 rats in each group. Another 8 rats were selected as the normal control group. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage, once daily for 2 successive weeks. The Morris water maze test was performed by the end of medication. The escape latency and times of crossing the platform in the water maze test were recorded during the 1st day to the fifth day. The expressions of GFAP, Abeta, betaAPP, and Caspase-3 in the cortex and hippocampus of the rats in each group were detected by immunohistochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the escape latency from the 3rd day to the 5th day was shortened, the expressions of GFAP, Abeta, betaAPP, and Caspase-3 decreased in the cortex and hippocampus, the times of crossing the platform increased in each medication group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the DH group, the expressions of Abeta in the cortex and hippocampus decreased, and the betaAPP expression increased in the QKR group. The expressions of GFAP, betaAPP, and Caspase-3 in the cortex and hippocampus increased in the volatile oil group. The escape latency from the 3rd day to the 5th day was obviously prolonged, and the times of crossing the platform decreased in the volatile oil group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QKR could obviously improve the learning and memory capabilities of AD rats, which might be achieved through decreasing the expressions of GFAP, Abeta, betaAPP, and Caspase-3 in the cortex and hippocampus.</p>

Protective mechanism of cerebrospinal fluid containing qingxin kaiqiao recipe on PC12 cell injury induced by glutamate / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao recipe on PC12 cell injury induced by glutamate (Glu), in order to provide basis for the conical application of the recipe.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were orally administered with decoction of Qingxin Kaiqiao recipe (7.9 g x kg(-1)) for three and a half days, 2 times a day, in order to prepare cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao recipe. PC cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, the nimodipine group, the 10% normal CSF group, the 10% medicated CSF group, the 20% normal CSF group, the 20% medicated CSF group. Except for the normal group, other groups were cultured with PC12 cells and Glu with the final concentration of 20 mmol x L(-1) to establish the nerve cell injury model. Apart from the model group and the normal group, other groups were intervened with nimodipine, normal cerebrospinal fluid, and 10% and 20% medicated CSF. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of Bax mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA, and MTT method was used to detect the activity of PC12 cells.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The activity of PC12 cells of all of medicated CSF groups was higher than that of the model group, with the decrease in the expression of Bax mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA and the increase in the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA. They showed a significant different with the model group (P < 0.01). The 20% medicated CSF group was superior than the 10% medicated CSF group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qingxin Kaiqiao recipe shows an apparent protective effect on PC12 cells injured by Glu.</p>

Study on protective effect of cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang on sodium dithionite-induced PC12 cell injury / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang on sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4)-induced PC12 cell injury, in order to provide basis for clinical application of the prescription.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were orally administered with water decoction of Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang (7. 9 g . kg-1) once every 12 h, for a total of 7 times, in order to prepare cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang. The neurocyte injury model was established by adding Na2S2O4 with the final concentration of 8 m mol . L-1 into PC12 cells. With nimodipine (1 x 10(7)mol . L-1 ) as the positive control group, MTT method test was adopted to detect the impact of cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang on the activity of PC12 cells. The expression of Bax, Bel-2 and Caspase-3 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The cerebrospinal fluid containing Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang groups showed a significantly higher activity in PC12 cells than the model group, with decrease in expressions of Bax mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA and increase in expression of Bel-2 mRNA. There were significant differences compared with the model group (P< 0. 05,P <0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang shows a notable protective effect on Na2S2 04-induced neurocyte injury.</p>

Protective effect of qingxin kaiqiao fang containing cerebrospinal fluid on PC12 cell injury induced by Abeta25-35 / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the protective effect of Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang containing cerebrospinal fluid on PC12 cell injury induced by Abeta25-35, in order to provide basis for clinical application of the formula.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sprague Dawley rats were orally administration with Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang (7.9 g x kg(-1)) twice a day for 3.5 days to prepare Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang containing cerebrospinal fluid. The nerve cell injury model was established by PC12 cells and Abeta25-35 with the concentration of 10 micromol x L(-1). The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 mRNA were detected by immunohistochemical method in the PC12 cells.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang group showed a significant higher PC12 cell activity than the model group, with decrease in Bax mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA expressions and increase in Bcl-2 mRNA expression. There was a significant difference from the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qinxin Kaiqiao Fang shows a significant protective effect on Abeta25-35-induced nerve cell injury.</p>

Effect of qingxin kaiqiao formula and saponin on learning and memory abilities and expression of apoptosis signal transducers Abeta and betaAPP in AD rat brain / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of qingxin kaiqiao formula and saponin on the learning and memory ability and the expression of the apoptosis signal transducers Abeta and betaAPP in AD rat brain.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The comparative observation method was adopted for the animal test. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, namely the normal group, the model group, the aricept group, the qingxin kaiqiao formula group and the saponin group, with eight rats in each group. Abeta(25-35) (10 g x L(-1)) was injected into their bilateral amygdala to establish the AD rat model. Since the next day, they were intragastrically administered with Aricept (1.67 mg x kg(-1)), Qingxin Kaiqiao decoction (12.67 mL x kg(-1)), saponin (6.30 mg x kg(-1)) and double distilled water filling for 2 weeks to observe their spatial memory ability in a Morris water maze and study the expression of Caspase-3, Abeta and betaAPP in brain tissues by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Each traditional Chinese medicine groups showed significant improvement in the learning and memory ability of AD rats and notable differences (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) compared with the control group. The qingxin kaiqiao formula group and the saponin group showed a decrease in the expressions of Caspase-3, Abeta and betaAPP in cerebral cortex and hippocampus area, displaying notable differences (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) compared with the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>qingxin kaiqiao formula and saponin can obviously improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats with by decreasing the expression of Caspase-3, Abeta and betaAPP in cortex and hippocampus.</p>