Guizhi-Fuling-Wan, a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ameliorates Memory Deficits and Neuronal Apoptosis in the Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemic Rodents via the Decrease of BaxBcl2 Ratio and Caspase-3 Expression

Abstract EN

Brain neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment are associated with hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus.

The present study determined if the Chinese herbal medicine Guizhi-Fuling-Wan (GFW) would reduce memory loss and neuronal apoptosis in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced hyperglycemic rodents.

Two weeks after STZ induction, GFW was orally administered once daily for 7 days.

GFW significantly improved spatial memory deficits in STZ-induced hyperglycemic mice.

GFW decreased TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 positive cells in STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats.

It also was found that GFW treatment reduced caspase-3 protein levels and increased levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 that were indicative of neuroprotection.

The protective therapeutic effects of GFW on neuronal apoptosis and cognition deficits caused by STZ-induced hyperglycemia may be due in part to inhibition of the cellular apoptosis pathway.

GFW may have therapeutic effects in patients with diabetes-mellitus-induced neuropathology.