Effects of an early- and late-stage treatment with Geniposide on cognitive dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model relevant to Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory, behavior and personality change. Geniposide, an iridoid glycosides isolated from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Gardenia jasminoides. Ellis, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects.

The present report primarily studied the effects of geniposide on cognitive dysfunction in a double-transgenic AD mouse model (APP/PS1) on early and late stages. Male APP/PS1 mice aged 6 month and 12 month were given water, geniposide (25mg.kg^-1) once a day by oral gavage, and age-matched C57BL/6 mice were treated with water and geniposide (25mg.kg^-1). Aricept (0.75mg.kg^-1) was used in the positive control group. Morris water maze performance was assessed after 3 months of treatment.

The APP/PS1 mice had longer escape latency and lower percentage of activities in platform quadrant than the C57BL/6 mice (p<0.05) both in the early- and late-stage treatment. In addition, geniposide significantly improved learning deficits as well as Aricept, compared with vehicle control treatment (p<0.05).

Geniposide can improve cognitive function of the double transgenic mouse model at early and late-stage of Alzheimer’s disease, with a possible mechanism related with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. The study suggested that oral supplementation of geniposide might be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of early- and late-stage of Alzheimer’s disease.