%0 Journal Article
%T Neuroprotective, Anti-Amyloidogenic and Neurotrophic Effects of Apigenin in an Alzheimer¡¯s Disease Mouse Model
%A Le Zhao
%A Jun-Li Wang
%A Rui Liu
%A Xiao-Xu Li
%A Jian-Fei Li
%A Lu Zhang
%J Molecules
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/molecules18089949
%X Alzheimer¡¯s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Amyloid-¦Â peptides (A¦Â) are considered to play a critical role in the onset and progression of AD. Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a pharmacologically active agent. Even though some evidence suggests that it has potential neuroprotective effects, no preexisting study has reported any therapeutic effects of apigenin in AD models. In the present study, we examined the effects of apigenin on cognitive function in APP/PS1 double transgenic AD mice and explored its mechanism(s) of action. Three-month oral treatment with apigenin rescued learning deficits and relieved memory retention in APP/PS1 mice. Apigenin also showed effects affecting APP processing and preventing A¦Â burden due to the down-regulation of BACE1 and ¦Â-CTF levels, the relief of A¦Â deposition, and the decrease of insoluble A¦Â levels. Moreover, apigenin exhibited superoxide anion scavenging effects and improved antioxidative enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, apigenin restored neurotrophic ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway in the cerebral cortex. In conclusion, apigenin may ameliorate AD-associated learning and memory impairment through relieving A¦Â burden, suppressing amyloidogenic process, inhibiting oxidative stress, and restoring ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway. Therefore, apigenin appears to represent an alternative medication for the prevention and/or therapy of AD.
%K Alzheimer¡¯s disease
%K amyloid-¦Â peptide
%K apigenin
%K oxidative stress
%K neurotrophin
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/8/9949