Blue Tiger Plant Found to Improve Cognitive Function in Animal Model of Vascular Dementia

In an animal model of vascular dementia, a study has been published showing that blue tiger (Artemisia annua Linné) has an effect on improving cognitive function, drawing attention.

This study was conducted by Professor Koh Chang-nam, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University.picture) and Professor Yeon-Jeong Kim of the College of Nursing Science jointly conducted a doctoral dissertation study by graduate student Seo-Young Kim. It was published under the title of ‘in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced vascular dementia animal model’.

Vascular dementia is dementia caused by cerebrovascular disease and is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment emphasizes the use of Alzheimer’s disease drugs or management to prevent the occurrence of cerebrovascular disease.

In the midst of this, the research team paid attention to Cheongho, which was found to have antioxidant effects, and administered it to an animal model of vascular dementia, confirming through research that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and cognitive function improvement effects through preservation of the neurovascular unit. .

The research team created an animal model of cerebral ischemia through bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in male rats at 12 weeks. These animal models are used as models for studying vascular dementia due to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induces hypoxia, which induces cognitive decline and neurodegeneration through nerve cell damage and blood-brain barrier destruction. .

Then, the experimental animals were △control group without bilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery + oral administration of physiological saline △vascular dementia model group + oral administration of physiological saline △vascular dementia model group + oral administration of low concentration (150mg/kg) △vascular dementia model group+ They were divided into 4 groups, including oral administration of Cheongho high concentration (750 mg/kg), and 7 rats were randomly assigned to each group, followed by observation.

Whether or not cognitive function was improved was evaluated through the behavioral Y-maze test and radial maze test, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to confirm accumulated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in chronic hypoperfusion conditions. In addition, Sirt1 and Sirt2, which are proteins related to aging, activation of the Nrf2/keap1/ARE pathway related to oxidative stress, and damage to components of the neurovascular unit were also observed.

As a result of the study, it was confirmed that spatial working memory among cognitive functions was significantly improved in the dementia model group administered with Cheongho, while microglial cells activated during neuroinflammation were statistically significantly reduced compared to the physiological saline-treated dementia model group.

In addition, 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), which accumulates during oxidative stress damage, was significantly increased in CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus in the physiological saline-administered dementia model group, whereas it was significantly decreased in the Cheongho-administered dementia model group. Nuclear factor-red blood cell 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a regulator that induces the expression, showed a statistically significant increase in Nrf2 expression inside the nucleus in the Chungho-treated dementia model group compared to the normal saline-treated dementia model group.

In addition, sirtuin, which plays a pivotal role in neuroprotection and cell senescence, was statistically significantly increased in the dementia model group administered with Cheongho compared to the dementia model group administered with physiological saline, while being involved in neurovascular coupling of the neurovascular unit. Although the microvessels in the saline-treated dementia model group were more fragmented and shortened, the Chungho-treated dementia model group was less fragmented and the microvessel length increased, confirming the preservation of the microvascular structure.

In addition, the expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGFRβ), which are involved in maintaining the blood-brain barrier in the hippocampus, were significantly decreased in the saline-treated dementia model group, whereas high-concentration Chungho administration It increased significantly in the dementia model group.

In this regard, Professor Chang-Nam Koh said, “In this study, as a result of administering Cheongho to an animal model of vascular dementia, cognitive function improved, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress were reduced, Nrf2/keap1/ARE pathway was activated, and Sirt1 and Sirt2 expression was increased. “In addition, as the microvessels and blood-brain barrier structures in the brain were found to be preserved, the possibility of Cheongho as a useful therapeutic drug for vascular dementia and cognitive decline due to cerebral hypoperfusion was confirmed,” he said.

In particular, Professor Koh said, “Currently, the prevalence of dementia is continuously increasing in Korea due to rapid population aging, and as it has emerged as a social problem, national dementia-related measures are being announced.” In this situation, it is hoped that the results of this study will be of great help in managing vascular dementia through the development of new treatments in the future.”

Professor Go continued, “Through the Korean medicine dementia prevention project conducted by local governments, the effectiveness and safety of cognitive function improvement through oriental medicine management have been proven.” I hope that as health policies are drafted and implemented, it will be firmly established as a therapeutic medicine that plays a greater role in promoting national health.”