Icariin Attenuates Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits in an Aβ_1–42-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Figure 2

Effect of ICA on cognitive outcomes in -infused rat model. Rats that received intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_1–42 were gavaged with ICA (ICA-L group: 30 mg/kg; ICA-M group: 60 mg/kg; ICA-H group: 120 mg/kg) or an equivalent amount of saline (vehicle group) each day. Sham-operated rats (sham group) also received an equal volume of saline orally. The Morris water maze test was then performed to evaluate cognitive function from the 28th day to the 32nd day. Significant group effects were observed in the hidden platform test used to assess the impact of ICA treatment, but no differences in visible platform performance were noted (a). The probe tests performed on the 32nd day showed significantly increased numbers of rats crossing the platform and (b) higher residence distance (c) and time (d) in the target quadrant for the ICA groups compared with the vehicle group. Escape latency data were analysed with two-way ANOVA, and probe test data were analysed with one-way ANOVA. All data are presented as the mean ± SD. and versus the vehicle group. versus the ICA-H group.

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