Red ginseng pine pollens improve spatial learning and memory possibly by inhibition of hippocampal neuron apoptosis in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Changes in learning and memory and hippocampal neuron apoptosis after administration of red ginseng pine pollen tablets were investigated in a model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rat．Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 each．Alzheimer’s disease was induced after administration of Aβ25-35 plus D-galactose．Morris water maze test was used to evaluate any changes in learning and memory as well as hippocampal neuron apoptosis．Western blot, RT-qPCR and TUNEL assay were performed to detect content of BCL2, BAX, p-AKT and p-GSK3β in hippocampal neurons in AD model rats．Compared with the model controls, escape latency and swimming distance in the drugged model rats were significantly shortened (P < 0.05), percentage of searching time was significantly increased (P < 0.05), in high-dose group．BCL2, p-AKT and p-GSK3β in hippocampal neurons was up-regulated, but Bax was down-regulated after administration of both high- and low-doses of the pollen tablets．Meanwhile, hippocampal neuron apoptosis was significantly inhibited by pollen tablet administrations．These data suggest that pollen tablets of red ginseng pine improve learning and memory in AD rats, possibly by inhibition of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis．