IMR Press / JIN / Volume 21 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2106164
Open Access Original Research
Protective Effects of Shi-Zhen-An-Shen Decoction on the Cognitive Impairment in MK801-Induced Schizophrenia Model
Xinyao Liu1,2,†Sitong Feng1,2,†Zhengtian Feng1,2,†Chao Ma1,2Yi He1,2Xue Li1,2Yanzhe Ning1,2Zuoli Sun1,2,*Hongxiao Jia1,2,*
Show Less
1 The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100088 Beijing, China
2 Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100088 Beijing, China
*Correspondence: zuolisun83@163.com (Zuoli Sun); jhxlj@ccmu.edu.cn (Hongxiao Jia)
These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Maarten Van den Buuse
J. Integr. Neurosci. 2022, 21(6), 164; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2106164
Submitted: 7 April 2022 | Revised: 20 May 2022 | Accepted: 24 May 2022 | Published: 27 September 2022
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia that strongly correlates to the patients’ difficulties in independent living and occupational functioning. Synaptic dysfunction may result in cognitive and behavioral changes similar to what have been identified in schizophrenia. Shi-Zhen-An-Shen Decoction (SZASD) is the empirical formula of traditional Chinese medicine adopted in treating psychiatric symptoms, especially the cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients, with proven efficacy in the long term of clinical practice in Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University. However, the mechanisms of SZASD on the cognitive improvement in schizophrenia is still unclear. Here, we aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the impact of SZASD on the cognitive impairment in MK801-induced schizophrenia-like rats. Methods: Six rat groups (n = 12 per group) were subjected to different treatments for 14 days. All the six groups were injected intraperitoneally with a given volume of 0.9% saline and MK801 (0.2 mg/kg) for consecutive 14 days for modelling. And the rats in the SZASD-treated groups and the clozapine-treated group were given SZASD (low, middle, and high doses) or clozapine, respectively, by intragastric administration. Then, we performed behavioral tests after the treatments, and the rats were sacrificed on the 19th day for biological analysis. Results: Behavioral tests indicated that SZASD mitigated the aberrant motor activity and improved schizophrenia-like rats’ spatial reference memory and sensory gating ability. Furthermore, SZASD significantly increased the expressions of PSD95, BDNF, and synapsin I in the hippocampus of MK801-induced schizophrenia-like rats. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SZASD may ameliorate cognitive impairment by restoring the levels of synaptic proteins in the hippocampus.

Keywords
schizophrenia
Shi-Zhen-An-Shen decoction
MK801
cognitive dysfunction
mechanisms
the hippocampus
Funding
7212050/Beijing Natural Science Foundation
2018-1-2122/Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research
2020-4-2126/Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research
ZYLX202129/Beijing Hospitals Authority Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding
DFL20191901/Beijing Hospitals Authority’s Ascent Plan
QML20201901/Beijing Hospitals Authority Youth Program
2018000021469G292/Talents Training Fund of Beijing
ZZ14-YQ-017/China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Fund for Excellent Young Scholars
Figures
Fig. 1.
Share
Back to top