Protective role of Dihydromyricetin in Alzheimer’s disease rat model associated with activating AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway

The aim of this study was to understand the possible role of the Dihydromyricetin (DHM) in Alzheimer9s disease (AD) rat model through regulation of the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway. Rats were divided into Sham group, AD group, AD + DHM (100 mg/kg) group and AD + DHM (200 mg/kg) group. The spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were assessed by Morris Water Maze (MWM). Then, the inflammatory cytokines expressions were determined by radioimmunoassay while expressions of AMPK/SIRT1 pathway-related proteins by Western blot; and the apoptosis of hippocampal cells were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. AD rats had an extended escape latency with decreases in the number of platform crossings, the target quadrant residence time, as well as swimming speed, and the inflammatory cytokines in serum and hippocampus were significantly elevated but AMPK/SIRT1 pathway-related proteins were reduced. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of hippocampal cells was significantly upregulated with decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax, as compared with Sham rats (all P