Kangenkaryu prevents the decrease of cholinergic markers following the nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesion.

The nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm)-lesioned rat is considered to be a model of the cholinergic dysfunction observed in the cerebral cortices of Alzheimer's disease patients. The cholinergic markers, acetylcholine release and choline acetyltransferase activity, were decreased in the cerebral cortex of the nbm-lesioned rat. Kangenkaryu (KAN), a Chinese traditional medicine, is a typical prescription for the treatment of symptoms related to blood circulation deficiency. Orally administered KAN following the nbm lesion significantly preserved the cholinergic markers. The present results indicate that KAN may preserve the activity of cholinergic neurons in the cerebral cortex after the nbm lesion.