Ameliorative effect of scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction by Fufangmuniziqi formula: The roles of alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Fufangmuniziqi formula (FFMN), a traditional Uyghur medicine used in China, is derived from an ancient Uyghur medical book and consists of 13 herbs. The herbs of FFMN, such as Peganum harmala L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., and Nigella glandulifera, have been demonstrated to have acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory, anti-neuroinflammatory, or antioxidant effects. Therefore, FFMN may have a good anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect, but its specific action and mechanism need to be further proven. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the anti-AD effects of FFMN and the role played by alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins in anti-AD. Materials and methods: The alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins fractions of FFMN were prepared by macroporous resin chromatography. The absorbed ingredients in the drug-containing serum were identified by UPLC ?Q ?TOF ?MS. An AD mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (SCO). The role of different fractions of FFMN in the anti-AD process was examined by Morris water maze (MWM), in-vitro cell, and AChE inhibition assay. Results: A total of 20 ingredients were identified in the serum samples collected after oral administration of FFMN, and seven compounds were selected as candidate active compounds. MWM experiments showed that different fractions of FFMN could significantly improve SCO-induced learning memory impairment in mice. The alkaloids fraction (ALK) regulated cholinergic function by inhibiting AChE activity, activating choline acetyltransferase activity, and protein expression. Flavonoids and saponins were more potent than the ALK in downregulating pro-inflammatory factors or inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-& alpha;, MPO, and nitric oxide. Western blot results further confirmed that flavonoids and saponins attenuated neuroinflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of I & kappa;B and NF-& kappa;B p65. This result was also verified by in-vitro cellular assays. FFMN enhanced antioxidant defense by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase and reducing the production of MDA. Combined with cellular experiments, flavonoids and saponins were proven more protective against oxidative damage. Conclusion: FFMN improved cognitive and memory impairment in the SCO-induced AD mouse model. ALK mainly enhanced the function of the cholinergic system. Flavonoid and saponin fractions mainly attenuated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the NF-& kappa;B pathway. All these findings strongly suggested that the combination of alkaloid, flavonoid, and saponin fractions derived from FFMN is a promising anti-AD agent that deserves further development.