Erinacine A enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer's disease related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice
BackgroundThe fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus has been demonstrated to possess anti dementia activity in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and people with mild cognitive impairment. However, the therapeutic potential of Hericium erinaceus mycelia on Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. In this study, the effects of erinacine A enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia (HE My) on the pathological changes in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease are studied.ResultsAfter a 30 day oral administration to 5 month old female APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice, we found that HE My and its ethanol extracts (HE Et) attenuated cerebral Ab plaque burden. It's worth noting that the attenuated portion of a plaque is the non compact structure. The level of insulin degrading enzyme was elevated by both HE My and HE Et in cerebral cortex. On the other hand, the number of plaque activated microglia and astrocytes in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were diminished, the ratio of nerve growth factor (NGF) to NGF precursor (proNGF) was increased and hippocampal neurogenesis was promoted after these administrations. All the mentioned benefits of these administrations may therefore improve the declined activity of daily living skill in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice.ConclusionsThese results highlight the therapeutic potential of HE My and HE Et on Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the effective components of HE My and HE Et are worth to be developed to become a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease.
Journal of Biomedical Science