Ameliorative Effect of Aster scaber Thunberg and Chaenoleles sinensis Koehne Complex Extracts Against Oxidative Stress-induced Memory Dysfunction in PC12 Cells and ICR Mice

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer"s disease. Oxidative stress is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and account for the toxicity of a wide range of compounds.Methods and Results: In order to study the neuro-protective effect of the complex extracts of Aster scaber Thunberg (AS) and Chaenoleles sinensis Koehne (CSK) against hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells, cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay using tetrazole, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and the intracellular ROS levels were determined the by 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. In order to examine the anti-amnesic effects of the complex extracts of AS and CSK, behavioral tests were performed on male ICR mice. The ameliorating effect of the complex extracts against Aβ1-42-induced learning and memory impairment was analyzed by y-maze and passive avoidance tests. The AS and CSK extracts showed neuro-protective activity both in vitro and in vivo, and the neuro-protective effect of their 60 : 40 (AS : CSK) mixture was better than that of the other mixtures. Moreover, the complex extracts synergistically inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and rapid peroxidation.Conclusions: A mixture of the AS and CSK extracts could be used to develop functional foods and serve as raw materials for the development of therapeutics against Alzheimer"s disease.