Combination of Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and Taraxacum coreanum exerts synergistic effects on learning and memory function by regulating metabolism of amyloid beta in mice

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by abnormal metabolism of amyloid beta (Aβ), leading to cognitive dysfunction. Carthamus tinctorius L. seed (CTS) and Taraxacum coreanum (TC) are attracted wide attention because of their potential property of alleviation of neurotoxicity; however, their combination therapy for synergistic effects have not yet been evaluated. We investigated the synergistic effects of CTS, TC, and their combination on the Aβ25-35-infused mice. In the T-maze test and novel object recognition test, the combination improved the spatial memory and object recognitive capacity compared with their single treatments. In Morris water maze test, the combination groups performed better spatial memory, indicating a synergistically effect on improving learning and memory ability in Aβ25-35-infused mice. We also investigated the Aβ-related protein expressions, suggesting the combination administration attenuated amyloidogenesis by regulating the metabolism of Aβ. Therefore, the combination might provide a positive synergistic effect on AD protection by metabolism of Aβ.