Neuroprotective effect of tormentic acid against memory impairment and neuro‑inflammation in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Cui,Weigang; Sun,Chunli; Ma,Yuqi; Wang,Songtao; Wang,Xianwei; Zhang,Yinghua

doi:10.3892/mmr.2020.11154

Neuroprotective effect of tormentic acid against memory impairment and neuro‑inflammation in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Authors:
- Weigang Cui
- Chunli Sun
- Yuqi Ma
- Songtao Wang
- Xianwei Wang
- Yinghua Zhang
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Affiliations: Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China, Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China, Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
Published online on: May 18, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2020.11154
Pages: 739-750
Copyright: © Cui et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Cognitive impairment and neuro‑inflammatory responses are the distinctive characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tormentic acid (TA) is one of the major active components of Potentilla chinensis and has been demonstrated to have anti‑inflammatory properties. However, the potential effects of TA on neuro‑inflammatory responses and memory impairment in AD remain unknown. The present study investigated the therapeutic effect of TA on neuro‑inflammation, as well as learning and memory impairment in AD mice. In addition, the effects of TA treatment were also examined in a co‑culture system of microglia and primary neurons. Intraperitoneal administration of TA attenuated memory deficits in amyloid β precursor protein/presenilin 1 transgenic mice, with a marked decrease in amyloid plaque deposition. TA also reduced microglial activation and decreased the secretion of pro‑inflammatory factors in AD mice. Furthermore, pre‑treatment with TA suppressed the production of pro‑inflammatory markers, as well as the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) p65 induced by Aβ exposure in BV2 cells. TA also reduced inhibited neurotoxicity and improved neuron survival in a neuron‑microglia co‑culture system. Taken together, these findings suggested that TA could attenuate neuro‑inflammation and memory impairment, which may be closely associated with regulation of the NF‑κB pathway.

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