Using HT22 cells and SH-SY5Y cells stably expressing the Swedish mutant APP (APPsw), this study investigated whether Rg1 intervened in APP metabolism through estrogenic activity. Using the ovariectomized (OVX) rats to mimic age-related changes in postmenopausal females, this study also tested the long-term effect of Rg1 on APP metabolism.
The in vitro study demonstrated that Rg1 increased extracellular secretion of soluble amyloid precursor protein 伪 (sAPP伪), enhanced 伪-secretase activity and decreased extracellular release of A尾. These effects of Rg1 could be prevented by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (ERK/MAPK) and Phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways. Inhibition of endogenous estrogen receptor (ER) activity abrogated Rg1-triggered release of sAPP伪, increase of 伪-secretase activity, and activation of ERK and Akt signaling. In addition, Rg1 promoted phosphorylation of ER伪 at Ser118 residue. The in vivo study demonstrated that 8-week Rg1 treatment of OVX rats increased sAPP伪 levels and decreased A尾 content in the hippocampi, and improved the spatial learning and memory.
Rg1 might be used to slow or prevent AD, in particular in postmenopausal females.