Effect of the herbal formulation Shen-Zhi-Ling on an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by modulating the biliverdin reductase/heme oxygenase 1 system

Abstract

Shen-Zhi-Ling (SZL) oral liquid is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that is mainly used for the clinical treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of SZL treatment on AD. APP/PS1 transgenic mice were utilized to evaluate the effect of SZL treatment (0.5 g/20 g/day). Morris water maze and Thioflavin S staining analyses were used to evaluate the cognitive impairment and β-amyloid plaques, respectively, while quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and biliverdin reductase (BVR). Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining was used to measure the BVR and HO-1 protein levels in the hippocampus. The findings of the current study demonstrated that SZL treatment was able to ameliorate the impairment of memory and reduce the accumulation of amyloid plaques, and its ameliorating effects may be attributed to the modulation of the HO-1/BVR system in the hippocampus. These results indicate that SZL may be a possible complementary and alternative therapy to delay the development of AD.

Jiedu-Yizhi Formula Improves Cognitive Impairment in an Aβ25–35-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease by Inhibiting Pyroptosis

“…For example, the classic formula Shen-Zhi-Ling Oral Liquid, which is used for the treatment of AD, can reduce APP mRNA expression in the hippocampus, reduce amyloid deposition, reduce Caspase-3 expression, reduce neuronal apoptosis [ 44 , 45 ], and increase hippocampal haemoglobin. The expression of oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and biliverdin reductase (BVR) can resist oxidative damage [ 46 ], regulate the insulin signal transduction pathway INR/PI3K/Akt, and improve glucose uptake, transport, and glycolysis in the brain [ 47 ]. The methods for improving AD are diversified and conform to the various pathological mechanisms of AD, thus achieving good clinical results.…”

Shen-Zhi-Ling oral liquid ameliorates cerebral glucose metabolism disorder in early AD via insulin signal transduction pathway in vivo and in vitro

“…SZL has been found to improve learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 transgenic mice [10,11]. Moreover, our previous findings have indicated that SZL exerts a neuroprotective effect on the myelin sheath, and that its mechanism of action is closely associated with activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in APP/ PS1 transgenic mice [12].…”

Bazhu Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medical Formula, Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…For instance, Fumanjian, a classic Chinese herbal formula, could ameliorate the impairment of spatial learning and memory by modulating the apoptotic signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with Aβ 1–40 -induced AD (Hu et al, 2014). TCM Shen-Zhi-Ling oral liquid not only improved behavioral and neuropsychological symptoms of dementia in AD patients, but also ameliorated memory impairment in AD mice by modulating the HO-1/BVR system (Xing et al, 2017). In addition, components of certain herbal formulations may constitute an alternative complementary approach to alleviate symptoms and delay the progression of AD (Jesky and Hailong, 2011; May et al, 2016).…”