Berberine Alleviates Amyloid-Beta Pathology in the Brain of APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice via Inhibiting β/γ-Secretases Activity and Enhancing α-Secretases

Jul 3, 2018Current Alzheimer research

Berberine reduces harmful protein buildup in a mouse Alzheimer's model by blocking harmful enzymes and boosting protective ones

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Abstract

Berberine (BBR) decreased amyloid-beta levels in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice.

BBR improved learning and memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
The treatment significantly reduced levels of BACE1 and sAPP-β in the hippocampus.
BBR decreased the expression of components associated with γ-secretase activity.
Levels of sAPPα, ADAM10, and ADAM17 significantly increased in BBR-treated mice.

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BACKGROUND: Berberine (BBR) has neuroprotective effects on many brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid -beta (Aβ) senile plaque is the most classical pathological hallmarks of AD. Aβ produces from a sequential cleavage by β-secretase (beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1, BACE1) and γ -secretase. The aim of our work was to investigate whether the neuroprotective effects of BBR on AD is related to inhibiting Aβ pathology.

METHOD: The cognitive function of mice was assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The Aβ levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; the expression of APP, sAPPα, ADAM10 and ADAM17, sAPPβ and BACE1 was detected by Western blotting; and the activity of γ -secretase complex (NCT, PS1, Aph-1α and Pen-2) was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: BBR improved learning and memory deficits of APP/PS1 mice. BBR decreased Aβ levels in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. BACE1 and sAPP -β levels in the BBR-treated groups were significantly reduced in the hippocampus of AD mice. BBR markedly decreased the expression of PS1, Aph-1α and Pen-2, but had no effect on NCT. The levels of sAPPα, ADAM10 and ADAM17 in the hippocampus of BBR-treated mice significantly increased, compared with the control ones (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: BBR inhibits the activity of β/γ-secretases, enhances α-secretases, and lowers the Aβ level in the hippocampus of AD mice, and improves Alzheimer's-like cognitive impairment.

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Berberine Alleviates Amyloid-Beta Pathology in the Brain of APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice via Inhibiting β/γ-Secretases Activity and Enhancing α-Secretases

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