• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.55-82
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• 2007

Ohjective: This research investigates the effect of the DJR on Alzheimer's disease. Method: 1.The effects of the DJR extract on IL.-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, cox-2, and NOS-II mRNA of BV2 microglia cell line treated with LPS; 2. the behavior: 3. the infarction area of the hippocampus, and brain tissue injury in Alzheimer's diseased mice induced with ${\beta}$A were investigated. Result: 1. The DJR extract suppressed the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated with LPS. 2. The DJR extract suppressed the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein production in BV2 microglia cell line treated with LPS. 3. For the DJR extract group a significant inhibitory effect on the memory deficit was shown for the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by .${\beta}$A in the Moms water maze experiment, which measured stop-through latency, and distance movement-through latency. 4. The DJR extract suppressed the over-expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ protein, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein and CD68/CD11b, in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}$A 5. The DJR extract reduced the infarction area of hippocampus, and controlled the injury of brain tissue in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}$A. 6. The DJR extract reduced the tau protein, GFAP protein, and presenilin1/2 protein (immunohistochemistry) of hippocampus in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}$A. Conclusion: These results suggest that the DJR extract may he effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Investigation into the clinical use of the DJR extract for Alzheimer's disease of suggested for future research.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-46
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• 2006

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative disease associated with aging in the human population. This disease is characterized by the extracellular deposition of beta-amyloid peptide $(A{\beta})$ in cerebral plaques. $A{\beta}$ is derived from the ${\beta}-amyloid$ precursor protein (APP) by the enzymes, ${\beta}-$ and ${\eta}o-secretase$. Compounds that ${\beta}-$ or ${\eta}o-secretase$ inhibit activity, can reduce the production of $A{\beta}$ peptides, and thus have therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD. Increasing body of evidence has been demonstrated that Bee Venom(BV) Acupuncture could compete with complex protein involving in multiple step of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and exert the anti-inflammatory potential of combined inhibition of the prostanoid and nitric oxide synthesis systems by inhibition of IKK and $NF-{\kappa}B$. In this study, I investigated possible effects of BV on memory dysfunction caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and $A{\beta}$ through inhibition of secretases activities and $A{\beta}$ aggregation. I examined the improving effect of BV on the LPS (2.5 mg/Kg, i.p.)-induced memory dysfunction using passive avoidance response and water maze tests in the mice. BV (0.84, $1.67\;{\mu}g/ml$) reversed the LPS-induced memorial dysfunction in dose dependent manner. BV also dose-dependently attenuated LPS-induced ${\beta}$ and ${\eta}o-secretase$ activities in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the mice brain. This study therefore suggests that BV acupuncture method may be useful for prevention of development or progression of AD.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.2065-2071
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• 2014

${\beta}$-Secretase (beta-amyloid converting enzyme 1 [BACE1]) is involved in the first and rate-limiting step of ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) peptides production, which leads to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Therefore, inhibition of BACE1 activity has become an efficient approach for the treatment of AD. Ligand-based and docking-based 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies of acyl guanidine analogues were performed with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) to obtain insights for designing novel potent BACE1 inhibitors. We obtained highly reliable and predictive CoMSIA models with a cross-validated $q^2$ value of 0.725 and a predictive coefficient $r{^2}_{pred}$ value of 0.956. CoMSIA contour maps showed the structural requirements for potent activity. 3D-QSAR analysis suggested that an acyl guanidine and an amide group in the $R_6$ substituent would be important moieties for potent activity. Moreover, the introduction of small hydrophobic groups in the phenyl ring and hydrogen bond donor groups in 3,5-dichlorophenyl ring could increase biological activity.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.82.2-83
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• 2003

Beta-amyloid peptide (A${\beta}$) is considered to be responsible for the pathogenesis of the Alzheimer's disease. Several lines of evidence support that A${\beta}$-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity is mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Agents that are able to scavenge excess ROS may be useful as protecting or reducing agents for development or progress of AD. Green tea extract has been known to have antioxidant property. Our previous studies also demonstrate that green tea extract protected ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury by reduction of cell death through scavenging of oxidative damages of macromolecules. (omitted)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.10-23
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• 2014

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Guibi-tang (GBT) on neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment induced by beta amyloid ($A{\beta}$), (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of ICR mice. Methods: $A{\beta}$ (1-42) was injected unilaterally into the lateral ventricle using a Hamilton syringe and micropump ($2{\mu}g/3{\mu}{\ell}$, $0.6{\mu}{\ell}/min$). Water extract of GBT was administered orally once a day (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks after the $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. Acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus was observed using cresyl violet and Congo red staining. The anti-apoptotic effect of GBT was evaluated using TUNEL labeling in the hippocampus. Results: GBT significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. GBT significantly increased the number of target headings to the platform site, the swimming time spent in the target quadrant, and significantly shortened the time for the 1st target heading during the retention test trial. GBT significantly attenuated the reduction in thickness and number of CA1 neurons, and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. GBT significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-labeled neurons in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that GBT improved cognitive impairment by reducing neuronal apoptosis and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus. GBT may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with progressive memory loss and neuronal cell death. Although numerous previous studies have been focused on disease progression or reverse pathological symptoms, therapeutic strategies for AD are limited. Alternatively, the identification of traditional herbal medicines or their active compounds has received much attention. The aims of the present study were to characterize the ameliorating effects of spinosin, a C-glucosylflavone isolated from Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa, on memory impairment or the pathological changes induced through amyloid-${\beta}_{1-42}$ oligomer ($A{\beta}O$) in mice. Memory impairment was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of $A{\beta}O$ ($50{\mu}M$) and spinosin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered for 7 days. In the behavioral tasks, the subchronic administration of spinosin (20 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated $A{\beta}O$-induced cognitive impairment in the passive avoidance task or the Y-maze task. To identify the effects of spinosin on the pathological changes induced through $A{\beta}O$, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses were performed. Spinosin treatment also reduced the number of activated microglia and astrocytes observed after $A{\beta}O$ injection. In addition, spinosin rescued the $A{\beta}O$-induced decrease in choline acetyltransferase expression levels. These results suggest that spinosin ameliorated memory impairment induced through $A{\beta}O$, and these effects were regulated, in part, through neuroprotective activity via the anti-inflammatory effects of spinosin. Therefore, spinosin might be a useful agent against the amyloid ${\beta}$ protein-induced cognitive dysfunction observed in AD patients.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to examine improving effect of Platycodon extracts (PE) and/or Platycodon extracts jelly (PEJ) on cognitive impairment in vitro and in vivo. PC12 (Pheochromocytoma) cells were pretreated with PE for 1hr and than incubated with $50{\mu}M$ amyloid ${\beta}(A{\beta})_{25-35}$ for additional 48hr. Cell viability was assessed by WST-1. Animals for Morris water test and passive avoidance test were divided into normal, control and two Platycodon extracts treated groups that were named Normal (n=7), Control (0 mg/kg, n=7), PE (300 mg/kg, n=7), PEJ (10 g/kg, n=7). Cognitive impairment was induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg/body weight, i.p.) in the three experimental groups but not the normal group. Pretretment of PE (0.01-1 mg/mL) were not induced cytotoxicity but observed in high dose-treated group (5 and 10 mg/mL) in PC12 cells. Protective effects of PE against $A{\beta}$-induced cytotoxicity were increased in dose dependent manner in PC12 cells. Administration of PE and PEJ were significantly reduced escape latency time on Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test in copolamine-induced cognitive impairment animal model. These results suggest that Platycodon extracts and its related product available to ameliorative purpose for cognitive ability impairments.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.115-120
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to determine the correlation between β-amyloid, serum lipid levels, and cognitive function in the elderly with mild Alzheimer's dementia. The study was conducted in December 2018, enrolling 45 elderly people with mild Alzheimer's disease. Blood analysis measured the β-amyloid and serum lipid levels, and cognitive function was measured using MMSE-K. The correlation between β-amyloid, serum lipid levels and cognitive function was determined using Pearson's correlation analysis. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the β-amyloid level and cognitive function (p<0.05). Furthermore, serum lipid levels and cognitive function also revealed a significantly negative correlation between TC and LDL levels (p<0.05). These results indicate that increasing levels of β-amyloid, TC, and LDL augments a negative correlation that decreases the cognitive function, signifying that management of pathologic factors related to dementia is important for the prevention and improvement of cognitive function in dementia patients.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2283-2287
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• 2007

Amyloid fibril formation of amyloid β/A4 protein (Aβ) is critical to understand the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease and develop controlling strategy toward the neurodegenerative disease. For this purpose, dequalinium (DQ) has been employed as a specific modifier for Aβ aggregation and its subsequent cytotoxicity. In the presence of DQ, the final thioflavin-T binding fluorescence of Aβ aggregates decreased significantly. It was the altered morphology of Aβ aggregates in a form of the bundles of the fibrils, distinctive from normal single-stranded amyloid fibrils, and the resulting reduced β-sheet content that were responsible for the decreased fluorescence. The morphological transition of Aβ aggregates assessed with atomic force microscope indicated that the bundle structure observed with DQ appeared to be resulted from the initial multimeric seed structure rather than lateral association of preformed single-stranded fibrils. Investigation of the seeding effect of the DQ-induced Aβ aggregates clearly demonstrated that the seed structure has determined the final morphology of Aβ aggregates as well as the aggregative kinetics by shortening the lag phase. In addition, the cytotoxicity was also varied depending on the final morphology of the aggregates. Taken together, DQ has been considered to be a useful chemical probe to control the cytotoxicity of the amyloid fibrils by influencing the seed structures which turned out to be central to develop therapeutic strategy by inducing the amyloid fibrils in different shapes with varied toxicities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.23-30
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dual-task training with cognitive tasks on cognitive functions and β-amyloid levels in the elderly with mild dementia. METHODS: The subjects were 36 elderly inpatients diagnosed with mild dementia at S Hospital located in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The patients were randomly divided into a dual-task training group (DTG; n = 18) or a single-task training group (STG; n = 18). DTG performed dual-task training with cognitive tasks while STG performed only exercise tasks. These groups performed their respective exercises during a 30-minute session occurring three times a week over an 8-week period. MMSE-K and GDS were used to measure the subjects' cognitive function. To assess the subjects' dementia-related factors, their β-amyloid levels were measured by blood analysis. RESULTS: The results of the experiment were as follows: DTG showed statistically significant differences between their MMSE-K scores and β-amyloid levels before and after training (p < .05), whereas they exhibited no statistically significant differences in their GDS scores. MMSE-K scores and β-amyloid levels were significantly different between DTG and STG after training. CONCLUSION: The present study's overall results indicate that dual-task training with cognitive tasks is more effective than single-task training in improving cognitive functions and β-amyloid levels in the elderly with mild dementia. In other words, regular dual-task training can be considered as effective in improving cognitive function and dementia-related factors in the elderly with mild dementia and thus may be suggested as an effective exercise method for the treatment and early prevention of dementia.