Potential Application of Tetrahydroxystilbene Glucoside in Treatment of Alzheimer ’ s Disease

Current strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment are mainly symptomatic; development of disease-modifying therapies is urgently needed. Polygonum Multiflorum has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for long history in treatment of dementia. Pharmacological studies suggested Polygonum Multiflorum could improve learning and memory abilities in animal models of AD, and inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) production in the brain. 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-Oβ-D-glucoside(TSG) is one main bioactive stillbene glycoside of Polygonum Multiflorum. The role of TSG in AD treatment has been investigated recently. TSG might antagonize acetylcholine deficiency and cognitive performance impairment in animal models of AD. In β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice, TSG ameliorated learning and memory functions associated with reductions of senile plaques and Aβ, and inhibitions of γsecretase and α-synuclein. In Aβ injection rat model, TSG increased cognitive behavior performances, and prevented Aβ deposition and synaptic degeneration. In D-galactose induced aging model, TSG improved abilities of learning and memory, and inhibited expressions of APP and Aβ. Learning and memory deterioration in aged animals was reformed by TSG intervention; its effects may be exerted through APP pathway. TSG also displayed antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, TSG has been demonstrated to improve cognitive performances of AD models through multiple target strategies, and may be a future perspective in development of AD therapy. © 2016 ACT. All rights reserved.