Effect of Naoling decoction on the expression of APP in hippocampal CA3 region in rats with synthetic Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Naoling decoction on hippocamal histomorphology and the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in CA3 region in rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to explore the therapeutical and the potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty SD rats were classified into 5 groups: a normal group, a sham-operated group, an AD group, a Naoling decoction group, and a Naofukang group. Alzheimer's disease model was established by Abeta1-42 injected into the hippocamal in the rats. The faculty of learning and memory was evaluated by Morris water maze. The changes of cell morphology were detected by HE staining. Expression of APP in CA3 region was mea-sured with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Morris water maze experiment showed that the escape latency of hidden platform in the AD group were delayed significantly (P<0.05) and the average times of passing was decreased (P<0.05). In the hippocampal CA3 field of the AD rats, HE staining and immunohistochemical test showed that pyramidal cells disturbed, neurons decreased significantly and expression of APP protein increased (P<0.05). Naoling decoction treatment improved pyramidal cellular disorders and decreased APP expression. CONCLUSION: Naoling decoction can distinctly improve the learning and memory ability, and reduce the expression of APP in the AD model rats, suggesting that Naoling decoction can be used for the treatment of AD in rats.