Optimized-SopungSunkiwon, a Herbal Formula, Attenuates A beta Oligomer-Induced Neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's Disease Models

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is an age-related neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by memory dysfunction, neuronal cell damage, and neuroinflammation. It is believed that AD-related pathology is mostly due to the overproduction of A beta, especially the oligomeric form (A beta O), in the brain. Evidence of the effects of multifunctional medicinal herbs in the treatment of AD has been steadily increasing. Optimized-SopungSunkiwon (OSS), a multiherbal formulation that is composed of sixmedicinal herbs derived fromSopungSunkiwon, is a traditionalmedicine that is prescribed for neurodegenerative disorders in elderly patients. We previously reported that OSS showed an antiamnesic and memory enhancing effect in mice, but it is unknown whether OSS has a protective effect against A beta O neurotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of OSS in AD models induced by A beta Oin vitro and in vivo. We found that OSS protected neuronal cells and inhibited the generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species against A beta O toxicity in vitro. These results were confirmed by in vivo data that oral administration of OSS for 14 days attenuatedmemory impairments and neuronal cell death by modulating gliosis, glutathione depletion, and synaptic damage in the mouse hippocampus induced by A beta O.