Abstract:

Objective   To study the effect of the Naoshenkang capsule on memory and expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) in hippocampus tissue of diabetic rats. Methods   Thirty-six rats were divided into three groups: the control group, the diabetic group, and the Naoshenkang group. Naoshenkang capsule was administered to the Naoshenkang group once daily, and an equal volume of normal saline was given to the control and the diabetic groups. All operations continued for 12 weeks. Morris water maze was operated every four weeks. Meanwhile, the expression of HIF-1α in hippocampus tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results   The expression of HIF-1α increased both in the diabetic and the Naoshenkang groups. Compared with the diabetic group, the Naoshenkang group had an obvious decrease in the expression of HIF-1α since the eighth week (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and it also had a reduction in the latency period of Morris water maze since the fourth week (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion   The Naoshenkang capsule can effectively downregulate the expression of HIF-1α and improve the memory ability, and finally ameliorate the brain damage caused by diabetes.

Key words: Naoshenkang capsule; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha; Hippocampus; Morris water maze