Therapeutic Effect of Yi-Chi-Tsung-Ming-Tang on Amyloid β1−40-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype via an Increase of Acetylcholine and Decrease of Amyloid β

Abstract EN

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- (Aβ1−40) 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 Aβ1−40 infusion caused amyloid accumulation and decreased acetylcholine level in hippocampus.

Oral administration of medium and high dose of YCTMT 7 days after the Aβ1−40 infusion decreased amyloid accumulation area and reversed acetylcholine decline in the Aβ1−40-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.