Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Guilingji on the expression of Fas/ FasL and neuronal apoptosis in cortex and hippocampus of mice with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Methods AD mouse model was constructed and randomly divided into the model group, donepezil group and low-, medium-and high-dose Guilingji groups. Morris water maze test was used to test the learning and memory ability of mice before and after intervention. HE staining was used to determine the pathological changes of cortical and hippocampal neurons. TUNEL staining was used to measure neuronal apoptosis. Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL. Results The learning and memory ability of mice was significantly improved (P< 0. 05), the pathological damage and apoptosis of neurons in cortex and hippocampus greatly alleviated, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL markedly decreased in Gulingji groups and donepezil group compared with model group (P < 0. 05 for all). Conclusion Gulingji may inhibit the apoptosis of cortical and hippocampal neurons and improve the learning and memory ability of AD model mice by inhibiting the expression of Fas/ FasL. 

Key words: Guilingji, Alzheimer’s disease, apoptosis, learning and memory abilities