Open Access

Asiaticoside ameliorates β-amyloid-induced learning and memory deficits in rats by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and reducing inflammatory factors

  • Authors:
    • Zhuo Zhang
    • Xiaobin Li
    • Duo Li
    • Mao Luo
    • Yongjie Li
    • Li Song
    • Xian Jiang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 27, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.4004
  • Pages: 413-420
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of asiaticoside (AS) on the pathology and associated mechanisms of β-amyloid (Aβ)‑induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) in rats. An AD rat model was established by lateral intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ 1‑42 oligomers. Learning and memory function were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry, ELISA and western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the disease pathogenesis. The results indicated that AS exerted protective effects in rats treated with Aβ oligomers, in a dose‑dependent manner, as evidenced by the improved learning and memory function in the MWM test. In addition, H&E staining of hippocampal tissue showed that the histological structure was damaged in the model group, which was restored by AS treatment. Aβ deposition was dramatically increased in the model group, and the pathological changes were reversed by AS treatment. TEM revealed that the subcellular structure was injured by Aβ oligomers, however, the structure was ameliorated by AS treatment. Furthermore, AS was found to reduce the elevated levels of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‑6 and tumor necrosis factor‑α, in the brains of Aβ‑treated rats. In addition, AS treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of caspases‑3, whereas the expression of B‑cell lymphoma‑2 was significantly increased, in these Aβ‑treated rats. According to the findings of the observed study, AS has a marked protective effect on Aβ‑induced AD pathology, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the alleviation of the mitochondrial injuries, the anti-inflammatory activities, and the influence on the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins.

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February-2017
Volume 13 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhang Z, Li X, Li D, Luo M, Li Y, Song L and Jiang X: Asiaticoside ameliorates β-amyloid-induced learning and memory deficits in rats by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and reducing inflammatory factors. Exp Ther Med 13: 413-420, 2017
APA
Zhang, Z., Li, X., Li, D., Luo, M., Li, Y., Song, L., & Jiang, X. (2017). Asiaticoside ameliorates β-amyloid-induced learning and memory deficits in rats by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and reducing inflammatory factors. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 13, 413-420. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.4004
MLA
Zhang, Z., Li, X., Li, D., Luo, M., Li, Y., Song, L., Jiang, X."Asiaticoside ameliorates β-amyloid-induced learning and memory deficits in rats by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and reducing inflammatory factors". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 13.2 (2017): 413-420.
Chicago
Zhang, Z., Li, X., Li, D., Luo, M., Li, Y., Song, L., Jiang, X."Asiaticoside ameliorates β-amyloid-induced learning and memory deficits in rats by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis and reducing inflammatory factors". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 13, no. 2 (2017): 413-420. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.4004