Therapeutic Effect of Yi-Chi-Tsung-Ming-Tang on Amyloid β-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype via an Increase of Acetylcholine and Decrease of Amyloid β.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid accumulation, neuronal death, and cognitive impairments. Yi-Chi-Tsung-Ming-Tang (YCTMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has never been used to enhance cognitive function and treat neurodegenerative disorders such as senile dementia. Whether YCTMT has a beneficial role in improving learning and memory in AD patients remains unclear. The present study showed that oral administration of YCTMT ameliorated amyloid-β- (Aβ(1-40)) injection-induced learning and memory impairments in rats, examined using passive avoidance and Morris water-maze tests. Immunostaining and Western Blot results showed that continuous Aβ(1-40) infusion caused amyloid accumulation and decreased acetylcholine level in hippocampus. Oral administration of medium and high dose of YCTMT 7 days after the Aβ(1-40) infusion decreased amyloid accumulation area and reversed acetylcholine decline in the Aβ(1-40)-injected hippocampus, suggesting that YCTMT might inhibit Aβ plague accumulation and rescue reduced acetylcholine expression. This study has provided evidence on the beneficial role of YCTMT in ameliorating amyloid-induced AD-like symptom, indicating that YCTMT may offer an alternative strategy for treating AD.

• Authors: Chung-Hsin Yeh, Ming-Tsuen Hsieh, Chi-Mei Hsueh, Chi-Rei Wu, Yi-Chun Huang, Jiunn-Wang Liao, Kuan-Chih Chow
• Journal: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (Evid Based Complement Alternat Med) Vol. 2012 Pg. 414536 ( 2012) ISSN: 1741-4288 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22754582 (Publication Type: Journal Article)