Journal of Shandong University (Health Sciences) ›› 2026, Vol. 64 ›› Issue (1): 43-56.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1671-7554.0.2025.0514

• Special Issue—Mechanistic Evidence and Clinical Translation in Mental and Sleep Disorders • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of EGCG on cerebellar Purkinje cells and behavioral phenotypes in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

YANG Hemin1, SUN Maolin2, LIU Shi1, YIN Yue3, ZHANG Na4, ZHANG Minglong5   

  1. 1. Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliate Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, Heilongjiang, China;
    2. Office of the President, The Third Affiliate Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, Heilongjiang, China;
    3. Scientific Research Department, The Third Affiliate Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, Heilongjiang, China;
    4. Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliate Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, Heilongjiang, China;
    5. Department of Genetics, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, Heilongjiang, China
  • Published:2026-01-27

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Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of intraperitoneal epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG)on cerebellar Purkinje cell morphology and autism-like behaviors in valproic acid-induced autistic offspring mice. Methods A valproic acid(VPA)-induced mouse model of autism spectrum disorder(ASD)was established. Following intraperitoneal injection of epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG), hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate the effects of EGCG on VPA-induced pathological changes in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Behavioral tests including the three-chamber social interaction test, open field test, elevated plus maze test, novel object recognition test, and Morris water maze test were performed to assess differences in social behavior, spontaneous locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviors, and learning/memory performance among control mice, VPA-exposed mice, and VPA+ EGCG-treated mice. Results H&E staining and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that intraperitoneal administration of EGCG reversed VPA-induced reductions in cerebellar Purkinje cell density and ameliorated pathological alterations in offspring ASD model mice. In the three-chamber social test, EGCG administration improved social preference deficits and restored novelty-induced social interaction in VPA-exposed mice. Behavioral assessments further demonstrated that EGCG significantly reduced hyperactivity in novel environments(open field test)and alleviated anxiety-like behaviors(elevated plus maze test)in VPA-induced offspring. Additionally, EGCG enhanced novel object recognition memory in the novel object recognition test and mitigated spatial learning and memory impairments in the Morris water maze. Conclusion EGCG treatment ameliorates the VPA-induced reduction in the number of cerebellar Purkinje cells and the associated pathological changes in the cerebellum of offspring autistic mice, resulting in an improvement in ASD-like behavioral abnormalities.

Key words: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, Autism spectrum disorder, Cerebellum, Purkinje cell, Behavioral

CLC Number: 

  • R749
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