title: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae improves learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: Kidney-tonifying recipe can reduce the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, prevent neuronal degeneration and improve cognitive functions in ovariectomized rats. Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae alcohol extracts may dose-dependently inhibit non-enzymatic saccharification in vitro. This study aimed to examine the effect of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae on advanced glycation end products and on learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized rats were treated with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae alcohol extracts (containing 1.5 g/kg crude drug) or 0.1% aminoguanidine for 12 weeks and behavioral testing was performed with the Y-electrical maze. This test revealed that Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and aminoguanidine could improve the learning and memory capabilities of ovariectomized rats. Results of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that treatment with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae or aminoguanidine reduced the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the frontal cortex of ovariectomized rats, while increasing content in the blood and urine. Biochemical tests showed that treatment with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae or aminoguanidine decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum and frontal cortex, and increased serum levels of glutathione peroxidase in ovariectomized rats. In addition, there was no apparent effect on malondialdehyde levels. These experimental findings indicate that Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae inhibits production of advanced glycation end products and its accumulation in brain tissue, and improves learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats. These effects may be associated with an anti-oxidative action of the extract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Encephalopathy, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100017, China.
authors.forename: Yuefen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Pathology Room, Department of Human Morphology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yanshu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Medical Comprehensive Course Teaching Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Room, Department of Human Morphology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Pathology Room, Department of Human Morphology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Pathology Room, Department of Human Morphology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Encephalopathy, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100017, China.
authors.forename: Pengtao
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae; advanced glycation end products; cognition; grants-supported paper; learning and memory; neural regeneration; neuroregeneration; ovariectomy; oxidative stress; traditional Chinese medicine