Cistanche Glycosides Affects Learning And Memory Function
Mar 03, 2022
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Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's disease, AD), mainly manifested as cognitive decline and mental and psychological state changes, the symptoms are progressively worsening, from the initial memory loss to the final loss of self-care ability, bringing to the family society The severe economic burden seriously threatens the quality of life of the elderly.
Click to organic Cistanche for Alzheimer's disease
Studies have confirmed that high Aβ deposition and abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein in the brain [1] are the main pathological changes of AD, accompanied by severe synapse loss [2-4]. Synapses are important structures that transmit neurotransmitters and other chemical signals between neurons. The integrity of their structure and function are closely related to learning and memory functions. They are the key to ensuring that neurons receive, process, process, and remember information from the outside world.
Studies conducted in aging animals and AD animal models have shown that changes in synaptic structure and function play an important role in improving learning and memory and improving cognitive function [5]. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important regulator of long-term enhancement of the hippocampus and the transmission of neurochemical signals between synapses, which can protect neurons, increase the number of hippocampal dendritic spines and enhance memory Function is essential in activities related to spatial learning and memory.
Cistanche, a plant of the Lamiaceae family, has the effects of anti-aging, regulating endocrine, promoting metabolism, and tonifying kidney and yang. It is mainly distributed in northwest China and is called "desert ginseng". Its main extract is cistanche glycosides (glycosides). of cistanche, GCs). The main active ingredients of GCs include phenethyl alcohol glycosides, iridoids, lignins, and other chemicals. They have a wide range of biological activities and play an important role in anti-aging, anti-fatigue, and improving immunity.
In the experiment of Cistanche glycosides on mice, it was found that the density of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 area of the treated SAMP8 mice was significantly increased by Cistanche glycosides, and the expression of hippocampal SYN and PSD-95 increased, which proved that Cistanche glycosides can improve the cognitive function of male SAMP8 mice[ 10], effectively improve the level of sex hormones [11]. However, the optimal intervention dose of GCs for improving synaptic plasticity and learning and cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8 mice and its specific mechanism of action still needs to be studied in depth. In recent years, some scholars have conducted a large number of experiments from the perspective of improving synaptic plasticity and clearing Aβ. Studies have shown that Cistanche glycosides can prevent Aβ deposition, improve the cognitive deficits and functions of dopaminergic neurons in the hippocampus of AD model rats [22], and improve AD-related learning and cognitive dysfunction [23]. The results of immunohistochemistry and WB test showed that 50 mg·kg -1·d -1 and 100 mg·kg -1·d -1 GCs significantly increased the number of positive cells in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, including SYN, PSD-95, and BDNF. Protein expression suggests that GCs can significantly increase synaptic plasticity and thereby improve learning and cognitive function. This result is consistent with previous reports.
Other studies have shown that testosterone can significantly increase the number of synaptic spines and the expression levels of BDNF and PSD-95 in the hippocampal CA1 area mediated by androgen receptor (AR) in SAMP8 mice [25], and increase SYN Expression level, improve learning and memory ability [7]. The results of the ELISA experiment showed that each dose of GCs increased the serum testosterone content to varying degrees, and was positively correlated with the dose. The 100 mg·kg -1·d -1 dose of GCs had the most significant effect. Therefore, it is speculated that GCs improve synaptic plasticity by increasing AR-mediated serum testosterone levels, thereby improving learning and memory function.
