EGb761 suppressed vascular dementia via modulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-induced apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neuronal cells.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the effects of EGb761 on vascular dementia (VD) rats and the mechanisms of action. METHODS: The Morris water maze test was utilized to assess the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rats; Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy were used to observe changes in hippocampal neuron cells; Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3-II) positive cells in hippocampal neurons; immunofluorescence staining was carried out to determine the immunofluorescence intensity of IRGM in hippocampal neurons; western blotting was used to measure the expression of related proteins. RESULTS: EGb761 significantly improved the cognitive function of vascular dementia rats (P < 0.01) and reduced the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.Furthermore, EGb761 suppressed ROS, thereby promoting the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inhibiting the expression of C-Jun N-terminal Kinase (p-JNK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-c-JUN), Protein 53 (P53), immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM), Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3), Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1 (LAMP1), and Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1). CONCLUSIONS: Ginkgo Biloba Extract 761 (EGb761) mediated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neurons in VD rats.