Ameliorative effects of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, on learning and non-cognitive disturbances in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

AIM OF THIS STUDY:

Aim of the present study is to clarify the effects of yokukansan (TJ-54) on learning and non-cognitive disturbances in the Tg2576 mouse expressing the human form of the APP695SWE (APP-Tg mice), which is considered to be an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Powdered diets containing 0.5 and 1.0% TJ-54 were given to the mice for 10 months (from 5 to 15 months old). The Morris water-maze test, elevated plus-maze test, and open-field test were performed for evaluation of learning and non-cognitive disturbances.

RESULTS:

Treatment with 1.0% TJ-54 for 5 months shortened the time it took for APP-Tg positive (+) mice to reach the platform in the Morris water-maze test. In the elevated plus-maze test, treatment with 1.0% TJ-54 for 2 months significantly reduced the increased number of entries and the time spent in open arms observed in APP-Tg(+) mice. In an open-field test, treatment of 1.0% TJ-54 for 9 months significantly suppressed the increase in locomotion observed in APP-Tg(+) mice.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest the possibility that TJ-54 ameliorates learning deficits and non-cognitive defects including a decrease in the anxiety (or disinhibition) and an increase in locomotor activity (hyperactivity) observed in APP-Tg(+) mice.

• Authors: Masahiro Tabuchi, Takuji Yamaguchi, Seiichi Iizuka, Sachiko Imamura, Yasushi Ikarashi, Yoshio Kase
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 122 Issue 1 Pg. 157-62 (Feb 25 2009) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19146938 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amyloid beta-Peptides
• Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Plant Extracts
• Yi-Gan San

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (drug therapy)
• Amyloid beta-Peptides (metabolism)
• Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor (genetics)
• Animals
• Anxiety (drug therapy)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Magnoliopsida
• Maze Learning (drug effects)
• Medicine, Traditional
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• Motor Activity (drug effects)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)