[Effects of extracts of Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba on hippocampal acetylcholine and monoamines in PDAP-pV717I transgenic mice].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects and its possible mechanism of Naoweikang (NWK), a composite of ginseng and ginkgo extracts, on hippocampal neurotransmitters in APP transgenic mice.


METHODS
P-DAPPV717I transgenic mice were taken as the model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and be treated with different doses of NWK (31 mg/kg and 62 mg/kg) respectively by gastrogavage once per day for 12 weeks. Contents of hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh), monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites were determined with high performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
Compared with nontransgenic mice, the levels of ACh and 5-HIAA in hippocampus of transgenic mice lowered significantly (P < 0.01), while 5-HT increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine increased by 14.6% and 17.7%, respectively. After 12-week administration, the ACh level increased significantly in the two NWK treated groups (P<0.05), and the 5-HT level in the high dose NWK treated group decreased (P<0.05), as compared with those in the untreated transgenic mice.


CONCLUSIONS
NWK shows a significant regulatory effect on the activities of hippocampal acetylcholine and monoamine system, especially the cholinergic and 5-HT systems, in APP transgenic mice, which might be one of its mechanisms in improving learning and memory of AD model, and therefore, NWK might exert certain curative effect on AD.
Cong
Wei-Hong
WH
Research Center of Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Liu
Jian-Xun
JX
Xu
Li
L
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; C533631:naoweikang; D000109:Acetylcholine