Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae improves learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats

Kidney-tonifying recipe can reduce the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, prevent neuronal degeneration and improve cognitive functions in ovariectomized rats. Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae alcohol extracts may dose-dependently inhibit non-enzymatic saccharification in vitro. This study aimed to examine the effect of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae on advanced glycation end products and on learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized rats were treated with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae alcohol extracts （containing 1.5 g/kg crude drug） or 0.1% aminoguanidine for 12 weeks and behavioral testing was performed with the Y-electrical maze. This test revealed that Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and aminoguanidine could improve the learning and memory capabilities of ovariectomized rats. Results of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that treatment with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae or aminoguanidine reduced the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the frontal cortex of ovariectomized rats, while increasing content in the blood and urine. Biochemical tests showed that treatment with Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae or aminoguanidine decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum and frontal cortex, and increased serum levels of glutathione peroxidase in ovariectomized rats. In addition there was no apparent effect on malondialdehyde levels. These experimental findings indicate that Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae inhibits production of advanced glycation end products and its accumulation in brain tissue, and improves learning and memory capabilities in ovariectomized rats. These effects may be associated with an anti-oxidative action of the extract.

Efficacy of the herbal pair, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae and Eucommiae Cortex, in preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in the zebrafish model

Objective: In traditional Chinese medicine, the herbal pair, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae(RAB) and Eucommiae Cortex(EC), is widely used to treat osteoporosis. Herein, we determined whether this herbal pair can be used to ameliorate glucocorticoid(GC)-induced osteoporosis(GIOP) and find its optimal dosage in zebrafish.Methods: The characteristics of the aqueous extract of RAB and EC were separately characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography. Osteoporosis was induced in 5-day post-fertilization zebrafish larvae by exposing them to 10 lmol/L dexamethasone(Dex) for 96 h. Seven combinations of different ratios of RAB and EC were co-administered. Treatment efficacy was determined by calculating zebrafish vertebral area and sum brightness, via alizarin red staining, and by detecting alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the optimal dosage ratio.Results: According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015), b-ecdysone(b-Ecd) is a major bioactive marker in RAB extract, while pinoresinol diglucoside(PDG) is the major marker in EC extract. Both of b-Ecd and PDG content values aligned with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards. Treatment with 10 lmol/L Dex reduced zebrafish vertebral area, sum brightness, and ALP activity, but RAB and EC attenuated these effects. Combining 50 mg/m L RAB and 50 mg/m L EC was optimal for preventing GIOP in zebrafish.Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the m RNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes. A treatment of 10 lmol/L Dex decreased runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), osteogenic protein-1(OP-1), bone c-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein(BGLAP), and bcatenin levels. This effect was counteracted by RAB and EC co-treatment(P < 0.05). Additionally, the effect of using the two herbal extracts together was better than single-herb treatments separately. These results demonstrated that RAB and EC preserve osteoblast function in the presence of GC. The best mass ratio was 1:1.Conclusion: RAB and EC herbal pair could ameliorate GC-induced effects in zebrafish, with 1:1 as the optimal dosage ratio.