Effects of Lignans from Schisandra chinensis Rattan Stems against Aβ1-42-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats and Neurotoxicity in Primary Neuronal Cells

Oxidative stress, which is caused by Amyloid-beta deposition in brain, plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we found that lignans from Schisandra chinensis rattan stems (rsSCH-L) could reduce the escape latency and the distance travelled by the A beta(1-42) injected rats while the crossing platform time was enhanced in the Morris water maze test. Further research demonstrated that lignans from rsSCH-L attenuated A beta(1-42)-induced neuronal cell injury by increasing the content of SOD and GSH-Px and decreasing the levels of LDH, ROS, and MDA. Moreover, rsSCH-L also inhibited the apoptosis of primary neuronal cells. The mechanisms of the apoptosis were related with the downregulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, and upregulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, the results show that rsSCH-L can improve cognitive ability in vivo. Meanwhile rsSCH-L exhibit a neuroprotective environment against oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, rsSCH-L may be a potential therapeutic agent for this neurodegenerative disease.