Modulation of Alzheimer-like Pathology in Type 2 Diabetic Rats via Grape Seed or Ginseng Extracts

This study was aimed to investigate the potential role of grape seed extract (GSE) or ginseng extract (GE) against some brain cortical indices related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD developed after 6 months of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) course. T2DM was induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin injection (i.p 45 mg/kg b.w.). Rats were randomized into control, T2DM, T2DM+GSE, T2DM+GE. Administration of extracts (100 mg/kg b.w. each) was started just after diagnosis of T2DM, and continued for 6 consecutive months. Treatment with GSE or GE provided significant modulation of type 2 diabetes metabolic disturbances, manifested by the attenuated serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood HbA1C. Both extracts also opposed type 2 diabetic central neuropathy as seen in decreasing tissue elevation of amyloid precursor protein, amyloid-β1-42, phospho-tau, TNF-α and MDA. Nevertheless, the extracts increased both the ACh and GSH brain cortical contents. In conclusion, the present data added further evidence that T2DM induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin could be used to study AD-like pathology. Aside from administration of GSE or GE for prolonged time might be successful as dietary supplement in ameliorating brain cortex biochemical changes related to AD associated with T2DM.