Reversal by aqueous extracts of Cistanche tubulosa from behavioral deficits in Alzheimer’s disease-like rat model: relevance for amyloid deposition and central neurotransmitter function

Abstract

BackgroundCistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight (CT) is commonly used to treat forgetfulness by traditional Chinese physicians. This study presents the ameliorating effects of CT extract which was quantified with three phenylpropanoid glycosides in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like rat model.MethodsAmyloid β peptide 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) intracisternally infused to rats by osmotic pump (Alzet 2002) was used as an AD-like rat model. The major pathological makers were measured including Aβ 1-42 immunohistochemical stain, behavioral tests (inhibitory avoidance task and Morris water maze) and central neurotransmitter functions.ResultsAβ 1-42 caused the cognitive deficits, the increase in the amyloid deposition and acetylcholinesterase activities, and the decrease in the levels of brain’s acetylcholine and dopamine. Daily administration of CT extract throughout Aβ 1-42 infusion periods ameliorated the cognitive deficits, decreased amyloid deposition and reversed cholinergic and hippocampal dopaminergic dysfunction caused by Aβ 1-42. Donepezil also ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction, but only blocked the amyloid deposition and cholinergic dysfunction caused by Aβ 1-42.ConclusionsWe suggest that CT extract, containing enough echinacoside and acteoside, ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction caused by Aβ 1-42 via blocking amyloid deposition, reversing cholinergic and hippocampal dopaminergic neuronal function.

Cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract from Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. stem bark in a rat model of scopolamine

“…Verbascoside, one of the main active phenylpropanoid glycoside from M. tomentosa leaves, was reported to reverse memory impairment induced by a combination of D-gal and AlCl 3 in a senescent mouse model [19]. Isoverbascoside, another phenylpropanoid glycoside from M. tomentosa leaves, ameliorated cognitive deficits in AD-like rat model induced by administration of Aβ1–42 through blocking of amyloid deposition, reversing cholinergic and hippocampal dopaminergic neuronal function [20]. Oleanolic acid, a triterpene identified in the stem bark of M. tomentosa , exhibited neuroprotective effects and improved Aβ-induced memory deficits in mice [21, 22].…”

Yi-Zhi-Fang-Dai Formula Protects against Aβ1–42Oligomer Induced Cell Damage via Increasing Hsp70 and Grp78 Expression in SH-SY5Y Cells

“…In a previous study, it has been reported that ginsenosides can restore metabolite imbalance in AD mice [24]. Wu et al [25] suggested that Cistanche tubulosa extract could ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction in AD-like rat model. Moreover, α -asarone can inhibit proinflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus and ameliorate memory deficits [26].…”

Cistanche tubulosa Protects Dopaminergic Neurons through Regulation of Apoptosis and Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: in vivo and in vitro

“…Echinacoside (ECH) is a major bioactive component found in the medicinal herb C. tubulosa . Studies have shown the therapeutic effects of glycosides of Cistanche and ECH, verbascoside (VER) and icariin (ICA) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), PD and other vascular dementia patients (Urano and Tohda, 2010; Wang et al, 2013; Wu et al, 2014). Wu et al (2014) suggested that C. tubulosa extracts that contained enough ECH and acteoside ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction caused by Aβ-42 via blocking amyloid deposition, and reversing cholinergic and hippocampal dopaminergic neuronal function.…”

“…Studies have shown the therapeutic effects of glycosides of Cistanche and ECH, verbascoside (VER) and icariin (ICA) on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), PD and other vascular dementia patients (Urano and Tohda, 2010; Wang et al, 2013; Wu et al, 2014). Wu et al (2014) suggested that C. tubulosa extracts that contained enough ECH and acteoside ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction caused by Aβ-42 via blocking amyloid deposition, and reversing cholinergic and hippocampal dopaminergic neuronal function. Tao et al (2015) found that phenylethanoid glycosides from C. tubulosa (Ph Gs-Ct) prevented high altitude cerebral edema by decreasing the protein and mRNA expression of AQP4 in the brain tissue of rat models.…”