| First Author | Zhang SQ | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | J Neurosci Res | Volume | 91 |
| Issue | 9 | Pages | 1239-46 |
| PubMed ID | 23686791 | Mgi Jnum | J:284878 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6390237 | Doi | 10.1002/jnr.23244 |
| Citation | Zhang SQ, et al. (2013) Baicalein reduces beta-amyloid and promotes nonamyloidogenic amyloid precursor protein processing in an Alzheimer's disease transgenic mouse model. J Neurosci Res 91(9):1239-46 |
| abstractText | Baicalein, a flavonoid isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, is known to modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors. Given prior reports demonstrating benefits of GABAA modulation for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment, we wished to determine whether this agent might be beneficial for AD. CHO cells engineered to overexpress wild-type amyloid precursor protein (APP), primary culture neuronal cells from AD mice (Tg2576) and AD mice were treated with baicalein. In the cell cultures, baicalein significantly reduced the production of beta-amyloid (Abeta) by increasing APP alpha-processing. These effects were blocked by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline. Likewise, AD mice treated daily with i.p. baicalein for 8 weeks showed enhanced APP alpha-secretase processing, reduced Abeta production, and reduced AD-like pathology together with improved cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that baicalein promotes nonamyloidogenic processing of APP, thereby reducing Abeta production and improving cognitive performance, by activating GABAA receptors. |
