Effects of Zibu Piyin Recipe on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Brain Tissue of Spleen-Yin Deficiency Alzheimer's Disease Rats

The effects of Chinese herbs for Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) on spleen-Yin deficiency Alzheimer's Disease (AD) rats were investigated. A new rat model was established based on both AD and the spleen-Yin deficiency syndrome. Then, expressions of glucose- regulated protein78 (GRP78), CCAAT/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in the hippocampus (CA1, CA3, and DAG regions) and cerebral cortex that were correlated to endoplasmic reticulum stress were determined. The results showed that in contrast to the Spleen-Yin Deficiency AD groups, the expression of the GRP78 protein was obviously upregulated (P < 0.05) in the ZBPYR group; whereas the expression of the CHOP protein was obviously downregulated (P < 0.05). It is concluded that Chinese herbs for ZBPYR improve the ability of learning and memory by reinforcing the survival pathway of ERS, and inhibiting the apoptosis pathway of ERS.