Gastrodin alleviates memory deficits and reduces neuropathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and activation of microglia cells and astrocytes. In this research, we evaluated whether gastrodin, an active component isolated from the rhizome of Gastrodia elata, has neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of AD, Tg2576 mice. Treatment of gastrodin (60 mg/kg for 15 days) significantly improved memory impairments in the Morris water maze test and probe test. Moreover, immunohistochemical and ELISA results indicated that gastrodin significantly attenuated Aβ deposition and glial activation in brains of these transgenic mice. These findings suggested that gastrodin exerted neuroprotective activity via anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic effects and that gastrodin may be a potential option for AD therapy.