Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages 181-191Publisher
IVYSPRING INT PUBL
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6232
Keywords
Icariin; Alzheimer's disease; APPV717I transgenic mice; beta-amyloid; amyloid plaque; BACE-1; amyloid precursor protein
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [81274120, 81273498]
- Beijing Natural Science Foundation [7112061]
- Beijing Key Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine [KJTS2011-04]
- Capital Health Development Scientific Grant [2011-1001-05]
- Beijing Health and Technical Personal of High-level Plan [2009-3-66, 2011-1-7]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and pharmacological mechanisms of icariin, which is the main component in the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium, on beta-amyloid (A beta) production in an amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic (Tg) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: APPV717I Tg mice were randomly divided into a model group and icariin-treated (30 and 100 mu mol/kg per day) groups. Learning-memory abilities were determined by Morris water maze and object recognition tests. A beta contents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry. Amyloid plaques were detected by Congo red staining and Bielschowsky silver staining. The levels of expression of APP and beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: Ten-month-old Tg mice showed obvious learning-memory impairments, and significant increases in A beta contents, amyloid plaques, and APP and BACE-1 levels in the hippocampus. The intragastric administration of icariin to Tg mice for 6 months (from 4 to 10 months of age) improved the learning-memory abilities and significantly decreased the A beta contents, amyloid plaques, and APP and BACE-1 levels in the hippocampus. Conclusion: Icariin reduced the A beta burden and amyloid plaque deposition in the hippocampus of APP transgenic mice by decreasing the APP and BACE-1 levels. These novel findings suggest that icariin may be a promising treatment in patients with AD.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available