Effect of Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang on Hippocampus mRNA Expression of the Inflammation-Related Genes IL-1ß, GFAP, and Aß in an Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of QKF on expression of amyloid-beta (Aß), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using a rat model of AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (eight rats each) control group, sham-operated group, AD model group, groups of AD rats administered with low, medium, and high doses of QKF, and the donepezil group. AD was established by bilateral injection of ß-amyloid (Aß) 1-40 into the hippocampus. Two days after AD was established, drugs were administered by gavage. After 14 days of treatment, we used RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to measure the transcript expression and protein abundance of Aß, IL-1ß, and GFAP, and methenamine silver staining was used to detect amyloid protein particle deposition. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the rats from the AD model group showed significantly greater expression levels of Aß, IL-1ß, and GFAP. However, these differences in expression were abolished by treatment with QKF or donepezil. CONCLUSION: QKF possesses therapeutic potential against AD because it downregulated Aß, IL-1ß, and GFAP in the hippocampus of AD rats. Future studies should further examine the mechanisms through which QKF produces its effects and the consequences of long-term QKF administration.