ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Dihuang Yinzi on the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine （SCOP） and explore the treatment mechanism. MethodsA mouse model of learning and memory impairment was induced by intraperitoneal injection of SCOP. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into six groups： control （0.9% NaCl， n=10）， model （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）， low-， medium-， and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 + Dihuang Yinzi 5.5， 11.0， and 22.0 g·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）， and donepezil （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 + donepezil 0.84 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs for 6 weeks. Modeling started in the 4th week， and mice in other groups except the control group were injected with SCOP intraperitoneally 40 min after daily gavage. Behavioral testing began in the 5th week， 30 min after modeling each day. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were carried out to evaluate the spatial learning and memory function of mice. Nissl staining was employed to observe the survival of neurons and Nissl bodies in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of silent information regulator 2 （SIRT2）， α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid （AMPA） receptor 1 （GluA1）， protein kinase A （PKA）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， phosphorylated-CREB （p-CREB）， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， growth-associated protein-43 （GAP-43）， and synaptophysin （SYN） in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of doublecortin （DCX） in the hippocampal dentate gyrus （DG） region. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed impaired learning and memory （P<0.01）， obvious neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region， a reduction in neuron survival （P<0.01）， a decrease in DCX expression in the hippocampal DG region （P<0.01）， down-regulated proteins levels of GluA1， PKA， p-CREB/CREB， PSD95， SYN， and GAP-43 in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and an up-regulated protein level of SIRT2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed improvements in learning and memory （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the low-， medium-， and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group had increased neuron survival （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium-dose Dihuang Yinzi group and the donepezil group showed increased DCX expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed up-regulation in the protein levels of GluA1， PKA， p-CREB/CREB， PSD95， SYN， and GAP-43 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulation in the protein level of SIRT2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionDihuang Yinzi can improve the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by SCOP by inhibiting the upregulation of SIRT2， activating the PKA/CREB signaling pathway， improving synaptic plasticity， and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage.

Objective To establish and evaluate an integrated disease-syndrome rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into three groups(n=10 per group):sham operation(sham),2-vessel occlusion(2-VO)group,and sleep deprivation combined with 2-VO(SD+2-VO)group.We comprehensively assessed Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome manifestations in the rats using a dual evaluation approach,combining exhaustive swimming tests with quantitative tongue chroma analysis.Cognitive function was evaluated using the Barnes maze,and cerebral blood flow was compared using laser speckle contrast imaging.The histopathology of the hippocampal cytoarchitecture and white matter were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Luxol fast blue(LFB)staining,respectively,and ultrastructural alterations of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Protein expression levels of NeuN,vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and CD31 were detected by Western Blot and immunofluorescence.Results Cerebral blood flow was significantly reduced in rats in the 2-VO group compared with the sham group,but they failed to recapitulate the key clinical hallmarks of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.In contrast,rats in the SD+2-VO group exhibited significantly reduced locomotor activity,exacerbated cerebral hypoperfusion,shortened swimming duration,and darkened tongue color compared with 2-VO rats.Rats in the SD+2-VO group demonstrated significantly impaired learning and memory abilities in the Barnes maze test.Consistent with these observations,HE staining,TEM,and LFB staining revealed substantial neuronal and white matter damage in the SD+2-VO group.NeuN expression was decreased and VEGFA and CD31 expression levels were increased in the 2-VO and SD+2-VO groups,as shown by Western Blot.Taken together,these findings indicated that the SD+2-VO model effectively recapitulated the clinical features of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.Conclusions The combination of sleep deprivation and bilateral carotid artery occlusion successfully established a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Compared with the 2-VO model,SD+2-VO model demonstrates more pronounced syndrome manifestations and better clinical relevance,thus providing a valuable animal model for traditional Chinese medicine research on chronic cerebral ischemia.

Objective To establish and evaluate an integrated disease-syndrome rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into three groups(n=10 per group):sham operation(sham),2-vessel occlusion(2-VO)group,and sleep deprivation combined with 2-VO(SD+2-VO)group.We comprehensively assessed Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome manifestations in the rats using a dual evaluation approach,combining exhaustive swimming tests with quantitative tongue chroma analysis.Cognitive function was evaluated using the Barnes maze,and cerebral blood flow was compared using laser speckle contrast imaging.The histopathology of the hippocampal cytoarchitecture and white matter were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Luxol fast blue(LFB)staining,respectively,and ultrastructural alterations of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Protein expression levels of NeuN,vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and CD31 were detected by Western Blot and immunofluorescence.Results Cerebral blood flow was significantly reduced in rats in the 2-VO group compared with the sham group,but they failed to recapitulate the key clinical hallmarks of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.In contrast,rats in the SD+2-VO group exhibited significantly reduced locomotor activity,exacerbated cerebral hypoperfusion,shortened swimming duration,and darkened tongue color compared with 2-VO rats.Rats in the SD+2-VO group demonstrated significantly impaired learning and memory abilities in the Barnes maze test.Consistent with these observations,HE staining,TEM,and LFB staining revealed substantial neuronal and white matter damage in the SD+2-VO group.NeuN expression was decreased and VEGFA and CD31 expression levels were increased in the 2-VO and SD+2-VO groups,as shown by Western Blot.Taken together,these findings indicated that the SD+2-VO model effectively recapitulated the clinical features of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.Conclusions The combination of sleep deprivation and bilateral carotid artery occlusion successfully established a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Compared with the 2-VO model,SD+2-VO model demonstrates more pronounced syndrome manifestations and better clinical relevance,thus providing a valuable animal model for traditional Chinese medicine research on chronic cerebral ischemia.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of remotely obtaining complex information on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pulse conditions through voice signals. Methods: We used multi-label pulse conditions as the entry point and modeled and analyzed TCM pulse diagnosis by combining voice analysis and machine learning. Audio features were extracted from voice recordings in the TCM pulse condition dataset. The obtained features were combined with information from tongue and facial diagnoses. A multi-label pulse condition voice classification DNN model was built using 10-fold cross-validation, and the modeling methods were validated using publicly available datasets. Results: The analysis showed that the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 92.59% on the public dataset. The accuracies of the three single-label pulse manifestation models in the test set were 94.27%, 96.35%, and 95.39%. The absolute accuracy of the multi-label model was 92.74%. Conclusion Voice data analysis may serve as a remote adjunct to the TCM diagnostic method for pulse condition assessment.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which salvianolic acid A (Sal A) reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of BV2 cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).METHODS An OGD/R injury model of BV2 cells was established with sugar free Earle solution containing Na2S2O410 mmol·L-1.Na2S2O4 sugar free Earle solution was added and cultured in an incubator (37 ℃,5％CO2) for 1.5 h (oxygen glucose deprivation) before a normal medium was used for 24 h (reperfusion).Then,the cells were divided into the cell control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 group,OGD/R+ML385 group,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 group and OGD/R+edaravone (Eda,50μmol·L-1) group.After twenty-four hours of culture,the cell survival rate was measured by CCK8 kit.The contents of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-10,IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in the cell supernatant were detected by ELISA.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected using the chemical fluo-rescence method.The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) in cells were determined with the colorimetric method.Protein expressions of Kelch like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2),Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) and p-nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS ①Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate of the OGD/R group was significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the survival rates of OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups were significantly increased (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly decreased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly increased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased in the OGD/R group (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the content of IL-6 was significantly decreased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly increased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased in OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).③Compared with the cell control group,the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 in the OGD/R group was significantly increased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the protein expressions of Keap1 and cytoplasmic Nrf2 were significantly decreased,the expressions of nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 proteins were significantly increased,and the expression of p-NF-κB p65 protein was significantly decreased in OGD/R+Sal A 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).In OGD/R+ML385,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups,the protein expression of Keap1 was significantly increased,the protein expressions of cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 protein were significantly decreased,and the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 was significantly increased (P＜0.01).CONCLU-SION Sal A reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of OGD/R injured BV2 cells possi-bly by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which salvianolic acid A (Sal A) reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of BV2 cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).METHODS An OGD/R injury model of BV2 cells was established with sugar free Earle solution containing Na2S2O410 mmol·L-1.Na2S2O4 sugar free Earle solution was added and cultured in an incubator (37 ℃,5％CO2) for 1.5 h (oxygen glucose deprivation) before a normal medium was used for 24 h (reperfusion).Then,the cells were divided into the cell control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 group,OGD/R+ML385 group,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 group and OGD/R+edaravone (Eda,50μmol·L-1) group.After twenty-four hours of culture,the cell survival rate was measured by CCK8 kit.The contents of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-10,IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in the cell supernatant were detected by ELISA.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected using the chemical fluo-rescence method.The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) in cells were determined with the colorimetric method.Protein expressions of Kelch like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2),Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) and p-nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS ①Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate of the OGD/R group was significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the survival rates of OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups were significantly increased (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly decreased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly increased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased in the OGD/R group (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the content of IL-6 was significantly decreased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly increased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased in OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).③Compared with the cell control group,the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 in the OGD/R group was significantly increased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the protein expressions of Keap1 and cytoplasmic Nrf2 were significantly decreased,the expressions of nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 proteins were significantly increased,and the expression of p-NF-κB p65 protein was significantly decreased in OGD/R+Sal A 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).In OGD/R+ML385,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups,the protein expression of Keap1 was significantly increased,the protein expressions of cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 protein were significantly decreased,and the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 was significantly increased (P＜0.01).CONCLU-SION Sal A reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of OGD/R injured BV2 cells possi-bly by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

In recent years,increasing attention has been paid to the study on the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia in terms of the overall structure and function of neurovascular unit(NVU),which has become one of the hot spots in the field of brain sciences and major brain diseases.This paper is intended to outline the roles of the four main NVU cells(neurons,astrocytes,microglia and cerebral microvascular endothelial cells)in brain function and pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia,which are closely related in structure,work together to maintain cerebral homeostasis in function,and play an important role in brain function and cerebral ischemic injuries.NVU injury leads to microvascular and blood brain barrier integrity impairment,neuronal cell death,glial reaction and immune cell infiltration,and even tissue injury and brain edema.This paper also aims to elucidate the roles of NVU structure and function in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia,and offer new ideas and strategies for the research related to drugs for prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia based on NVU structure and function.

Chemokines play pleiotropic roles in the pathology of Alzheimer′s disease(AD),a chronic inflammatory disease of central nervous system.The neuropathological features of AD include neurofibrillary tangles,amyloid plaques,neuroinflammation,and neuronal synaptic loss.Chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of AD by activating or regulating inflammatory cells or glial cells,playing dual key roles of the pro-and anti-inflammatory properties in AD.The levels of chemokines in serum,cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of AD patients are changed accordingly.This review summarizes the role of chemokines and their receptors in AD in the biological activities and unveils the changing rules,aiming to provide new strategies for clinical treatment of AD.

Aim To research the synergistic effect of hyperlipoproteinemia and Aβ in the processing of Alzheimer′s disease.Methods Seventy SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, and dealt with D-gal(hypodermic injection), hyperlipemia diet, microinjection into both side of CA1 section in hippocampus, independently.Morris water maze(MWM) test was used to evaluate the spatial memory impairments.Tau and tau(pThr181) pathology in the hippocampus were detected using Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Nissl′s staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Results Aβ25-35-treated rats showed significant impairments of spatial memory in MWM test, especially in the group of D-gal+Aβ25-35+HLD(P<0.01).Furthermore, these rats treated with Aβ25-35, D-gal, and hyperlipemia diet, exhibited significantly increased phosphorylation of tau, particularly in the Thr181 site.Conclusion Hyperlipoproteinemia is the risk factor for older person, which could strengthen the toxic effect of Aβ, and promote phosphorylation of tau.

Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), the major effective component of ginseng, has been shown to have multiple bioactivities, but low oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, which could be used to validate and quantify the concentrations of Rg1 and its metabolites in Sprague-Dawley rat bile, urine, and feces after oral administration (25 mg/kg). Calibration curves offered satisfactory linearity (>0.995) within the determined ranges. Both intra-day and inter-day variances were less than 15%, and the accuracy was within 80-120%. The excretion recoveries of Rg1, ginsenoside Rh1 (Rh1), and protopanaxatriol (Ppt) in bile, urine, and feces combined were all greater than 70%. The fecal excretion recoveries of Rg1, Rh1, and Ppt were 40.11%, 22.19%, and 22.88%, respectively, whereas 6.88% of Rg1 and 0.09% of Rh1 were excreted in bile. Urinary excretion accounted for only 0.04% of Rg1. In conclusion, the observed excretion profiles for Rg1 and its metabolites after oral administration are helpful for understanding the poor oral bioavailability of Rg1 and will aid further investigations of Rg1 as a pharmacologically active component.