Effect of traditional Chinese herbal Bu-Wang-San on synaptic plasticity in ovariectomised rats.
OBJECTIVE
The neuroprotective effects of Bu-Wang-San (BWS) and its effects on spine synapse plasticity were investigated in ovariectomised rats.


METHODS
Thirty-six ovariectomised rats were divided into three groups: untreated controls, treatment with 17beta-estradiol or with BWS. After 3 months, spatial acquisition and spatial retention were measured using the Morris water maze. Swim time, swim distance, swim speed, quadrant time and platform crossing were recorded. Spine synapse density in the hippocampus was examined by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of synaptophysin P38 (P38) mRNA was examined by real-time PCR and the protein expression of P38 was examined by Western blot.


RESULTS
In spatial acquisition and spatial retention, the BWS group functioned significantly better than the control group. Ultrastructural observation of the hippocampus showed that BWS significantly increased spine synapse density compared with the ovariectomised group. In addition, BWS significantly increased P38 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus. Thus, the positive effect of BWS on learning and memory in rats was associated with increased spinal synapse density and increased P38 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus following menopause-induced injury.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that BWS could improve cognitive ability following menopause-induced impairment of learning and memory.
Li
Hui
H
Medical Department, Dezhou University, and Department of Traditional Chinese Integrated Western Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong, PR China.
Li
Shu-Ling
SL
Wu
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Gong
Li
L
Wang
Jiu-Ling
JL
Li
Yu-Zhu
YZ
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016708:Synaptophysin; C532052:bu-wang-san; D004958:Estradiol; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases