Praeruptorin C alleviates cognitive impairment in Type 2 diabetic mice through restoring PI3K/AKT/ GSK3β pathway

Abstract Diabetic encephalopathy is a common complication of diabetes, leading to cognitive impairment. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Praeruptorin C (Pra-C), an active component of traditional Chinese herb medicine Peucedanum praeruptorum , on cognitive impairment in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that Pra-C administration significantly reduced body weight and fasting blood glucose levels, relieved learning and memory behavioral deficits in diabetic model mice. The effects of Pra-C on learning and memory ability were further confirmed by late-phase LTP (L-LTP) facilitation, which was recorded by Med64 electrophysiology recording system. Pra-C also restored the activation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway in hippocampus of mice suffering from diabetes. Taken together, this study demonstrates that Pra-C alleviates cognitive impairment in diabetic mice by restoring PI3K/AKT/GSK3β activation.