title: Pharmacological Effects of Active Components of Chinese Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Review.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder associated with dementia, not only severely decreases the quality of life for its victims, but also brings a heavy economic burden to the family and society. Unfortunately, few chemical drugs designed for clinical applications have reached the expected preventive or therapeutic effect so far, and combined with their significant side-effects, there is therefore an urgent need for new strategies to be developed for AD treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine has accumulated many experiences in the treatment of dementia during thousands of years of practice; modern pharmacological studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of many active components derived from Chinese herbal medicines (CHM). Ginsenoside Rg1, extracted from Radix Ginseng, exerts a [Formula: see text]-secretase inhibitor effect so as to decrease A[Formula: see text] aggregation. It can also inhibit the apoptosis of neuron cells. Tanshinone IIA, extracted from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, and baicalin, extracted from Radix Scutellariae[Formula: see text] can inhibit the oxidative stress injury in neuronal cells. Icariin, extracted from Epimedium brevicornum, can decrease A[Formula: see text] levels and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and can also inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis. Huperzine A, extracted from Huperzia serrata, exerts a cholinesterase inhibitor effect. Evodiamine, extracted from Fructus Evodiae, and curcumin, extracted from Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, exert anti-inflammatory actions. Curcumin can act on A[Formula: see text] and tau too. Due to the advantages of multi-target effects and fewer side effects, Chinese medicine is more appropriate for long-term use. In this present review, the pharmacological effects of commonly used active components derived from Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of AD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: * Geriatric Department, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.|† Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Yong
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: * Geriatric Department, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jian-Gang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: * Geriatric Department, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: ‡ Geriatric Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hui-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D045784:Abietanes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry; D032086:Evodia / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D032501:Huperzia / Q000737:chemistry; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza / Q000737:chemistry; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000737:chemistry; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D045784:Abietanes; D000470:Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011799:Quinazolines; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C050426:huperzine A; C021751:tanshinone; C038044:baicalin; C012596:turmeric extract; C049639:evodiamine; D003474:Curcumin; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1; C056599:icariin
keywords: Active Components; Alzheimer's Disease; Chinese Medicine; Review