Panax Notoginseng Burk attenuates impairment of learning and memory functions and increases ED1, BDNF and beta-secretase immunoreactive cells in chronic stage ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.
Panax Notoginseng Burk (PN) has been reported to improve blood circulation, as well as learning and memory functions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of PN on learning and memory functions in chronic cerebral infarct rats. A cerebral infarct animal model was established by blocking the blood flow of both common carotid arteries and right middle cerebral artery for 90 min followed by reperfusion for 4 weeks. PN (0.5 g/kg) was administered orally 3 days per week for 4 weeks, whereas the control group provided bait and water only. The learning and memory functions were estimated by measuring how successful rats were able to negotiate an 8-arm radial maze test; the test was performed after operation once a week for 4 weeks. Finally, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed. The brains were sectioned and analyzed for ED1, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), nuclear factor-kappaB, and brain derivative neurotrophin factor (BDNF) and beta-secretase by immunostaining. Cerebral infarct rats given PN were able to successfully navigate the 8-arm radial maze test four weeks after cerebral infarction. PN also increased ED1, BDNF and beta-secretase immunoreactive cells, but did not increase GFAP and NF-kappaB immunoreactive cells. PN attenuated the reduction in learning and memory functions induced by cerebral infarction in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats; it also increased the amount of activated microglia and BDNF. These data suggest that the effect of PN, at least in part, is closely related to the increase in BDNF that was generated by activated microglia. The effect that PN has on astrocytes, NF-kappaB and beta-secreatase immunoreactive cells requires further study.
Chuang
Chin-Min
CM
Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Hsieh
Ching-Liang
CL
Lin
Hui-Yi
HY
Lin
Jaung-Geng
JG
D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053331:Ectodysplasins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D053723:Panax notoginseng; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053331:Ectodysplasins; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D016328:NF-kappa B; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases