Nutr Res Pract.  2021 Apr;15(2):173-186. 10.4162/nrp.2021.15.2.173.

Effects of the fermented Zizyphus jujuba in the amyloid β_25-35 -induced Alzheimer's disease mouse model

• Kim MJ
• Jung JE
• Lee S
• Cho EJ
• Kim HY

• KMID: 2514442
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2021.15.2.173

Abstract

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Due to the increased incidence of dementia, there is a corresponding increase concerning the importance of AD. In this study, we investigated the protective effects conferred by Zizyphus jujuba (Zj) and Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast (Zj-Y), on cognitive impairment in an AD mouse model.
MATERIALS/METHODS
AD was induced by injecting amyloid beta_25-35 (Aβ_25-35 ) in ICR mice, and subsequently 200 mg/kg Zj or Zj-Y was administered daily for 14 days. The cognitive ability of AD mice was observed through behavioral experiments in T-maze, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. We subsequently measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in either tissues or serum.
RESULTS
In behavioral tests, deterioration was revealed in the short- and long-term learning and memory functions in the Aβ_25-35 -injected control group compared to the normal group, indicating that Aβ_25-35 injection impairs cognitive functions. However, administration of Zj and Zj-Y improved cognitive function in mice, as compared to the Aβ_25-35 -injected control mice. In addition, the Aβ_25-35 induced elevations of MDA and NO in the brain, kidney, and liver were suppressed after exposure to Zj and Zj-Y. Especially, Zj-Y showed stronger scavenging effect against MDA and NO, as compared to Zj.
CONCLUSIONS
Results of the present study indicate that Zj-Y exerts a protective effect on cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, which is exerted by attenuating the oxidative stress induced by Aβ_25-35 .

Keyword

Alzheimer's disease; amyloid; fermentation; mice; ziziphus

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Effects of Zj and Zj-Y on spontaneous alternation behavior in the T-maze test. Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35.*The space perceptive abilities for old and new routes are significantly different as determined by Student's t-test (P < 0.05); a,bMeans with the different letters are significantly different among groups by Duncan's multiple range test (P < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 2 Effects of Zj and Zj-Y on recognition memory in the novel object recognition test. Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35.*The space perceptive abilities for old and new routes are significantly different as determined by Student's t-test (P < 0.05); a,bMeans with the different letters are significantly different among groups by Duncan's multiple range test (P < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 3 Effects of Zj and Zj-Y on escape latency to platform in the Morris water maze test. Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35.a,bMeans with the different letters are significantly different among groups by Duncan's multiple test (P < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 4 Effects of Zj and Zj-Y on latency to reach hidden platform in the Morris water maze test. Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35.a,bMeans with the different letters are significantly different by Duncan's multiple range test (P < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 5 Effects of Zj and Zj-Y against MDA generation in the brain (A), liver (B), and kidney (C) induced by Aβ25-35. Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35; MDA, malondialdehyde.a,bMeans with the different letters are significantly different by Duncan's multiple test (P < 0.05).

• 

  Fig. 6 Effects of oral Zj and Zj-Y on Aβ25-35-induced nitric oxide formation in the brain (A), liver (B), and kidney (C). Normal: saline injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Control: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of saline for 14 days. Zj: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Zj-Y: Aβ25-35 injection + oral administration of Zj-Y (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Values are mean ± SD.Zj, Zizyphus jujuba; Zj-Y, Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast; Aβ25-35, amyloid beta25-35.a-cMeans with the different letters are significantly different by Duncan's multiple test (P < 0.05).

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