The effects of total extract of salvia miltiorrhiza on cognitive impairment and brain injury in db/db mice

YE Kai-li; ZENG Meng-nan; CAO Bing; HAO Feng-xiao; GUO Peng-li; ZHANG Zi-yu; FENG Wei-sheng; ZHENG Xiao-ke

doi:10.20251/j.cnki.1003-3734.2025.11.013

Abstract：Objective:To study the effects of Yu Danshen extract on cognitive impairment and brain damage in db/db mice,and to provide experimental basis for the clinical use of Yu Danshen.Methods:Male db/m mice were used as the control group,while male db/db diabetic mice were randomly divided into the model group,Morus alba alkaloid group(24 mg·kg-1),Metformin group(160 mg·kg-1),and Yu Danshen extracts at low dose(24.58mg·kg-1)and high dose group(49.16 mg·kg-1).The mice received treatment via gavage for 4 weeks,and fasting blood glucose was tested weekly.At the end of the administration,biochemical methods were used to detect insulin resistance,pancreatic damage,learning and memory function,neuronal damage,and brain tissue fibrosis in each group;protein blotting was used to detect IRS1/PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein levels;and the effects of Yu Danshan extract on high glucose-induced N9 cell injury were detected using MTT assay.Results:Yu Danshen extract reduced fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin level and insulin resistance index,regulated the islet β-cell/islet α-cell ratio,and restored the islet morphology in db/db mice.In addition,Yu Danshen extract improved learning memory function,reduced hippocampal neuronal damage and collagen deposition in the brains of db/db mice,and significantly activated the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway.Meanwhile,Yu Danshen extract restored cell viability and morphology of high glucose-induced N9 cells.Conclusion:Yu Danshen extract can effectively improve cognitive impairment and brain damage in db/db mice,which may be related to the activation of IRS-1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.