Cerebralcare Granule(®), a Chinese Herb Compound Preparation, Attenuates D-Galactose Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Effect of Cerebralcare Granule® combined with memantine on Alzheimer's disease

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In elderly people, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It has been shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on phytomedicines enhances the therapeutic effects of modern medicine when taken in conjunction with them. Modern medicine N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) antagonist memantine (Mm) are mainly used in the clinical treatment of AD. TCM Cerebralcare Granule® (CG) has long been an effective treatment for headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms. In this study, we employ a blend of CG and Mm to address Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms and explore their impacts and underlying mechanisms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of our study was to observe the effects of CG combined with Memantine (Mm) on learning and memory impairment of AD mice induced by D-galactose and to explore the mechanism at work.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CG and Mm were combined to target multiple pathological processes involved in AD. For a thorough analysis, we performed various experiments such as behavioral detection, pathological detection, proteomic detection, and other experimental methods of detection.

RESULTS

It was found that the combination of CG and Mm was significantly effective for improving learning and memory in AD mice as well as brain pathology. The serum and hippocampal tissue of AD mice were significantly enhanced with catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased with this treatment. In AD mice, a combination of Mm and CG (CG + Mm) significantly increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10, decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), improved synaptic plasticity by restoring synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) expression in the hippocampus, enhanced Aβ phagocytosis of microglia in AD mice, and increased mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme complexes I, II, III, and IV, lead to an increase in the number of functionally active NMDA receptors in the hippocampus. Proteomic analysis GO analysis showed that the positive regulation gene H3BIV5 of G protein coupled receptor signal pathway and synaptic transmission was up-regulated, while the transsynaptic signal of postsynaptic membrane potential and regulation-related gene Q5NCT9 were down-regulated. Most proteins showed significant enriched signal transduction pathway profiles after CG + Mm treatment, based on the KEGG pathway database.

CONCLUSION

The data supported the idea that CG and Mm could be more effective in treating AD mice induced by D-galactose than Mm alone. We provided a basis for the clinical use of CG with Mm.

Exploring the mechanism of YangXue QingNao Wan based on network pharmacology in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

It is clinical reported that YangXue QingNao Wan (YXQNW) combined with donepezil can significantly improve the cognitive function of AD patients. However, the mechanism is not clear. A network pharmacology approach was employed to predict the protein targets and affected pathways of YXQNW in the treatment of AD. Based on random walk evaluation, the correlation between YXQNW and AD was calculated; while a variety of AD clinical approved Western drugs were compared. The targets of YXQNW were enriched and analyzed by using the TSEA platform and MetaCore. We proved that the overall correlation between YXQNW and AD is equivalent to clinical Western drugs, but the mechanism of action is very different. Firstly, YXQNW may promote cerebral blood flow velocity by regulating platelet aggregation and the vasoconstriction/relaxation signal pathway, which has been verified by clinical meta-analysis. Secondly, YXQNW may promote Aβ degradation in the liver by modulating the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolisms via the adiponectin-dependent pathway, RXR/PPAR-dependent lipid metabolism signal pathway, and fatty acid synthase activity signal pathway. We also verified whether YXQNW indeed promoted Aβ degradation in hepatic stellate cells. This work provides a novel scientific basis for the mechanism of YXQNW in the treatment of AD.

Cerebralcare Granule® combined with nimodipine improves cognitive impairment in bilateral carotid artery occlusion rats by reducing lipocalin-2

AIMS

Clinically, Cerebralcare Granule® (CG) has been widely utilized to treat various types of headache, chronic cerebral insufficiency and other diseases, and the effect is significant. Clinical studies have shown that CG can significantly relieve vascular dementia (VaD), however, the molecular mechanisms haven't been established. To clear the therapeutic mechanisms of CG against VaD, a hypothesis was proposed that CG could treat neurovascular injury by inhibiting the production of lipocalin-2 (LCN 2).

MAIN METHODS

90 dementia rats were selected by water maze test and randomly divided into 6 groups, including nimodipine (NM), CG L (low dose) (0.314 g kg^-1), CG H (high dose) (0.628 g kg^-1), and combined group (CG + NM). And in vitro neuronal cell OGD modeling to evaluate the effect of CG on JAK2/STAT3.

KEY FINDINGS

CG could significantly shorten the escape latency of two-vessel occlusion (2-VO) rats, increase their exploratory behavior, alleviate the symptoms of VaD and improve the ultrastructural pathological damage of neurovascular unit and accelerate the recovery of cerebral blood perfusion. CG combined with NM is better than NM alone. It was further showed that CG could inhibit the pathogenicity of LCN 2 through JAK2/STAT3 pathway and suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines. It plays a role in the protection of cerebral microvasculature and BBB in 2-VO rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, there data has supported notion that CG can protect the integrity of cerebral blood vessels and BBB and improve cognitive impairment through mainly inhibiting LCN 2, which provides scientific evidence for clinical application.

Cerebralcare Granule® enhances memantine hydrochloride efficacy in APP/PS1 mice by ameliorating amyloid pathology and cognitive functions

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory deficits and cognitive decline. Current drugs can only relieve symptoms, but cannot really cure AD. Cerebralcare Granule® (CG) is a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing a variety of biologically active compounds. In our previous studies, CG has shown a beneficial effect against memory impairment in mice caused by d-galactose. However, whether CG can be used as a complementary medicine for the treatment of AD remains unexplored. Here, we use a combination of CG and memantine hydrochloride (Mm) to treat Alzheimer-like pathology and investigate the effects and mechanisms in vivo.

Methods

The histology of brain was examined with Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, Golgi staining and Thioflavin S staining. ELISA was applied to assess the expression levels or activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL) in serum, as well as the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the mice brain. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of β-secretase (BACE1), amyloid precursor protein (APP), APPβ, APPα, synaptophysin (SYN), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95).

Results

In the present study, the combination group (CG + Mm) significantly attenuated Alzheimer-like behavior without adverse effects in APP/PS1 mice, indicating its high degree of safety and efficacy after long-term treatment. CG + Mm reduced AD pathological biomarker Aβ plaque accumulation by inhibiting BACE1 and APP expression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Besides, the combination group markedly inhibited the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in hippocampus (P < 0.001), as well as activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in serum (P < 0.001). By contrast, the combination group improved synaptic plasticity by enhancing SYN, PSD95, and GAP43 expression.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data supported the notion that CG combined with Mm might ameliorate the cognitive impairment through multiple pathways, suggesting that CG could play a role as complementary medicine to increase anti-AD effect of chemical drugs by reducing Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative damage, and improving synaptic plasticity.

YangXue QingNao Wan and Silibinin Capsules, the Two Chinese Medicines, Attenuate Cognitive Impairment in Aged LDLR (+/-) Golden Syrian Hamsters Involving Protection of Blood Brain Barrier

The purpose of the study was to explore the effect and the underlying mechanism of YangXue QingNao Wan (YXQNW) and Silibinin Capsules (SC), the two Chinese medicines, on cognitive impairment in older people with familial hyperlipidaemia. Fourteen month-old female LDLR (+/-) golden Syrian hamsters were used with their wild type as control. YXQNW (0.5 g/kg/day), SC (0.1 g/kg/day), or YXQNW (0.5 g/kg/day) + SC (0.1 g/kg/day) were administrated orally for 30 days. To assess the effects of the two drugs on plasma lipid content and cognitive ability, plasma TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C were measured, and Y maze task was carried out both before and after administration. After administering of the drugs for 30 days, to evaluate the effect of the two drugs on disturbed blood flow caused by hyperlipidemia, the cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured. To assess blood-brain barrier integrity, albumin leakage in middle cerebral artery (MCA) area was determined. To evaluate the effect of the drugs on impaired microvessels, the number and morphology of microvessels were assessed in hippocampus area. To further evaluate the ultrastructure of microvessels in hippocampus, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out. To assess the profiles of claudin-5 and occludin in hippocampus, we performed immunofluorescence. Finally, to assess the expression of claudin-5, JAM-1, occludin and ZO-1 in hippocampus, western blot was carried out. The results showed that YXQNW, SC, and YXQNW + SC improved cognitive impairment of aged LDLR (+/-) golden Syrian hamsters without lowering plasma TC and LDL-C. YXQNW, SC, and YXQNW + SC attenuated albumin leakage in MCA area and neuronal damage in hippocampus, concomitant with an increase in CBF, a decrease of perivascular edema and an up-regulated expression of claudin-5, occludin and ZO-1. In conclusion, YXQNW, SC, and YXQNW + SC are able to improve cognitive ability in aged LDLR (+/-) golden Syrian hamsters via mechanisms involving maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity. These findings provide evidence suggesting YXQNW or SC as a potential regime to counteract the cognitive impairment caused by familial hypercholesterolemia.

Shunaoxin dropping pill, a Chinese herb compound preparation, attenuates memory impairment in d-galactose-induced aging mice

The Shunaoxin dropping pill (SNX) is derived from a traditional recipe. It has been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005 (approval number Z20050041). In this study, we used an in vitro H2O2-induced PC12 cell oxidative damage model and an in vivod-gal-induced mouse memory impairment model to investigate whether SNX had neuroprotective effects. In vitro, prior to exposure to 100 μM H2O2 for 2 h, PC12 cells were pre-treated with SNX 50 μg mL-1 for 24 h. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to confirm the effect of SNX on apoptosis in the PC12 cells. Our results demonstrate that H2O2 suppresses the proliferation of PC12 cells and induces cell death. Pretreatment with SNX attenuates H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. In vivo, d-gal was administered (100 mg kg-1, subcutaneously (s.c.)) once daily for 8 weeks to induce memory deficit and neurotoxicity in the brain of an aging mouse. Then, SNX (320 mg kg-1) was simultaneously administered orally. The present study demonstrates that SNX can alleviate aging in the mouse brain induced by d-gal via improving behavioral performance, alleviating oxidative stress, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and reducing brain cell damage in the hippocampus. Overall, these data clearly demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of SNX from the in vitro and in vivo results. SNX may be considered a novel agent for easing aging and/or age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Extract of Fructus Cannabis Ameliorates Learning and Memory Impairment Induced by D-Galactose in an Aging Rats Model

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) has been used as a health food and folk medicine in China for centuries. In the present study, we sought to define the underlying mechanism by which the extract of Fructus Cannabis (EFC) protects against memory impairment induced by D-galactose in rats. To accelerate aging and induce memory impairment in rats, D-galactose (400 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 14 weeks. EFC (200 and 400 mg/kg) was simultaneously administered intragastrically once daily in an attempt to slow the aging process. We found that EFC significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, while lowering levels of malondialdehyde in the hippocampus. Moreover, EFC dramatically elevated the organ indices of some organs, including the heart, the liver, the thymus, and the spleen. In addition, EFC improved the behavioral performance of rats treated with D-galactose in the Morris water maze. Furthermore, EFC inhibited the activation of astrocytes and remarkably attenuated phosphorylated tau and suppressed the expression of presenilin 1 in the brain of D-galactose-treated rats. These findings suggested that EFC exhibits beneficial effects on the cognition of aging rats probably by enhancing antioxidant capacity and anti-neuroinflammation, improving immune function, and modulating tau phosphorylation and presenilin expression.

Mechanism of Cerebralcare Granule® for Improving Cognitive Function in Resting-State Brain Functional Networks of Sub-healthy Subjects

Cerebralcare Granule® (CG), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been used to ameliorate cognitive impairment induced by ischemia or mental disorders. The ability of CG to improve health status and cognitive function has drawn researchers' attention, but the relevant brain circuits that underlie the ameliorative effects of CG remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of CG in ameliorating cognitive function in sub-healthy subjects using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Thirty sub-healthy participants were instructed to take one 2.5-g package of CG three times a day for 3 months. Clinical cognitive functions were assessed with the Chinese Revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-RC) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), and fMRI scans were performed at baseline and the end of intervention. Functional brain network data were analyzed by conventional network metrics (CNM) and frequent subgraph mining (FSM). Then 21 other sub-healthy participants were enrolled as a blank control group of cognitive functional. We found that administrating CG can improve the full scale of intelligence quotient (FIQ) and Memory Quotient (MQ) scores. At the same time, following CG treatment, in CG group, the topological properties of functional brain networks were altered in various frontal, temporal, occipital cortex regions, and several subcortical brain regions, including essential components of the executive attention network, the salience network, and the sensory-motor network. The nodes involved in the FSM results were largely consistent with the CNM findings, and the changes in nodal metrics correlated with improved cognitive function. These findings indicate that CG can improve sub-healthy subjects' cognitive function through altering brain functional networks. These results provide a foundation for future studies of the potential physiological mechanism of CG.

Antidiabetic effect of ligustilide-rich total lactones derived from Shunaoxin dropping pills on mice with type 2 diabetes induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Shunaoxin dropping pill, a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, has been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005.