Gastrodin as a multi-target protective compound reverses learning memory deficits and AD-like pathology in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Evidence suggests that people can benefit from consumption of diets rich in plant phenolics because they can attenuate AD symptoms. The phenolic glucoside gastrodin is the main bioactive compound of Rhizoma Gastrodiae and is widely used for treating various neurological disorders. In this study, we assess whether long term oral administration of gastrodin can improve cognitive impairment and AD-like pathology. Our results showed that chronic gastrodin administration inhibits aggregation and disaggregate oligomeric and fibrillar species of Aβ42, prevents Aβ42 induced neurotoxicity in cell SH-SY5Y, decreases the levels of Aβ plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau, alleviates activation of glial cells and proinflammatory cytokines, attenuates oxidative stress in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice. The mechanisms underlying can be attributed to the inhibition levels of enzymes of Aβ and prevention GSK3β activity. Our results suggest that gastrodin might be a potential agent for thetreatment of AD.

Keywords

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Gastrodin
• APP/PS1 transgenic mice
• Aβ
• Neuroinflammation
• Tau