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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Tong Luo Jiu Nao ameliorates Aβ1–40-induced cognitive impairment on adaptive behavior learning by modulating ERK/CaMKII/CREB signaling in the hippocampus

Authors: Zhe Shi, Cong Lu, Xiuping Sun, Qiong Wang, Shanguang Chen, Yinghui Li, Lina Qu, Lingling Chen, Lanlan Bu, Duanfang Liao, Xinmin Liu

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Tong Luo Jiu Nao (TLJN), a modern formula of Chinese medicine extracts on the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, has been used to treat dementia. The present study aimed to investigate its ameliorating effects on Aβ1–40-induced cognitive impairment in rats using a series of novel reward-directed instrumental learning (RDIL) tasks, and to determine its possible mechanism of action.

Methods

Rats were pretreated with TLJN extract (0.9 and 1.8 g/kg, p.o.) for 10 daysbefore surgery, and were trained to gain reward reinforcement by lever pressing at the meantime. Thereafter, rats received a bilateral microinjection of Aβ1–40 in CA1 regions of the hippocampus. Cognitive performance was evaluated with the goal directed (higher response ratio) and habit (visual signal discrimination and extinction) learning tasks, as well as on the levels of biochemical parameters and molecules.

Results

Our findings first demonstrated that TLJN can improve Aβ1–40-induced amnesia in RDIL via enhancing the comprehension of action-outcome association and the utilization of cue information to guide behavior. Then, its ameliorating effects should attribute to the modulation of ERK/CaMKII/CREB signaling in the hippocampus.

Conclusion

TLJN can markedly enhance cognitions of Aβ1–40 microinjection animal model in adaptive behavioral tasks. It has the potential, possibly as complementary and alternative therapy, to prevent and/or delay the deterioration of cognitive impairment in AD.
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Metadata
Title
Tong Luo Jiu Nao ameliorates Aβ1–40-induced cognitive impairment on adaptive behavior learning by modulating ERK/CaMKII/CREB signaling in the hippocampus
Authors
Zhe Shi
Cong Lu
Xiuping Sun
Qiong Wang
Shanguang Chen
Yinghui Li
Lina Qu
Lingling Chen
Lanlan Bu
Duanfang Liao
Xinmin Liu
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0584-9

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