Alzheimer's disease （AD） is a common type of dementia， primarily characterized by cognitive and behavioral impairments as well as deficits in learning and memory. The progression of AD has imposed a significant economic burden on society and families. However， its exact pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Currently， available therapeutic drugs are limited and are often accompanied by serious adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicines （TCMs） and their extracts are mostly natural products and possess advantages such as multi-pathway regulation and relatively few adverse reactions. Experimental studies have shown that TCMs exhibit great potential in the prevention and treatment of AD. For example， Huanglian Jieduang， Danggui Shaoyaosan， Kaixin San， Liuwei Dihuangwan， Buyang Huanwutang， as well as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Astragali Radix， Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis， Coptidis Rhizoma， Gardeniae Fructus， Ginkgo Folium， Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and Curcumae Longae Rhizoma， can reduce β-amyloid deposition， inhibit excessive Tau protein phosphorylation， restore mitochondrial function， alleviate oxidative stress， suppress neuroinflammation and apoptosis， repair synaptic function， and improve gut microbiota. This article mainly summarizes the effects of several TCMs and compound prescriptions on AD， aiming to provide a reference for subsequent TCM-based treatment of AD.

Objective:To preliminarily study the effect of Louqin Zhisou decoctions with the mechanism of clearing heat and resol-ving phlegm on the blood level of neutrophil elastase ( NE) in the rat model of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-ease ( AECOPD) . Methods:The rat model of AECOPD was established by passive cigarette smoking, intratracheal instillation of li-popolysacchricle ( LPY) and intranasal instillation of staphylococcus aureus. Totally 60 AECOPD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the model control group (n=20), ambrohexel group (n=20), and Louqin Zhisou decoctions group (n=20). NE was detec-ted by ELISA. Results:Compared with that before the treatment, NE in ambrohexel group and Louqin Zhisou decoctions group was de-creased significantly(P<0. 01). Conclusion:Clearing heat and resolving phlegm method probably can decrease NE by reducing air-way mucus hypersecretion and obstruction in AECOPD rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the immunotoxicity induced by 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzathrancene (DMBA) in metallothionein gene-knocked-out mice [MT(-/-)] as compared with that in wild-type mice [(MT(+/+)].

METHODSFemale mice were treated with 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg of DMBA i.p., respectively and immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) i.v. on the following day and rechallenged by injection of SRBC via footpad s.c. on the fourth day post-immunization. Humoral and cell-mediated immune function was assessed by the number of spleen IgM antibody plaque formation cells (PFC) to SRBC and cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) measured by footpad swelling thickness.

RESULTSAfter treatment with 25 mg/kg DMBA, a decrease in weight of their spleen and thymus and PFC/spleen were observed in MT(-/-) mice, while only decrease in thymus weight of MT(+/+) mice. The humoral function was suppressed by 72% in MT(-/-) mice. No obvious change in cell-mediated immune function was observed both in MT(-/-) and MT(+/+) mice. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune function were suppressed more severe (91%) in MT(-/-) mice treated with 50 mg/kg DMBA than those treated with 25 mg/kg DMBA (72%). DTH was not altered by DMBA in MT(+/+) mice. The weight of their spleen and thymus decreased and humoral immune function suppressed in MT(+/+) mice, but these changes were significantly less severe. No obvious suppression of cell-mediated immune function was observed in MT(+/+) mice.

CONCLUSIONTheir humoral and cell-mediated immune function was more susceptible to being suppressed by DMBA in MT(-/-) mice, indicating that MT could protect their immune function from damage caused by DMBA.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; toxicity ; Animals ; Immunity ; drug effects ; Metallothionein ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Organ Size ; drug effects