Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glycoside (TSG) on formation of senile plaques and beta amyloid (Aβ), as well as activation of microglia and astrocytes, in cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.Methods A total of 64 five-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model group (n=16), low-dose TSG (0.05 g/kg) group (n=16), high-dose TSG (0.1 g/kg) group (n=16), and donepezil group (n=16); other 32 same age wild type (WT) mice were randomly divided into normal control group (n=16) and high-dose TSG (0.1 g/kg) WT group (n=16). The normal control group and model group were given distilled water, and the other groups were given the corresponding drugs intragastrically. The mice were tested with object recognition test, the deposition of plaques in brain was detected with Congo red staining, and the expression of Aβ_40/42, ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) with immunohistochemistry after seven months of treatment (twelve-month-old).Results Compared with the model group, the discrimination index significantly increased (P<0.01), the deposition of plaques decreased in brain (P<0.05), and the expression of Aβ_40/42, Iba1 and GFAP all significantly decreased in each treatment group (P<0.05).Conclusion TSG can improve learning and memory of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, reduce Aβ deposition and senile plaques, and reduce the inflammatory response, even in low-dose, which is similar to that of donepezil.

Key words: Alzheimer's disease, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glycoside, learning and memory, beta amyloid, senile plaques, inflammation, mice