Neuroprotective effects ofEriobotrya japonicaandSalvia miltiorrhizaBunge inin vitroandin vivomodels

We previously reported that Eriobotrya japonica (EJ) improves the cognitive dysfunction caused by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide injection. Here, we further examined the possible neuroprotective effects and the combined ameliorating effects of EJ and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) in various in vitro and in vivo models. We confirmed the combined effects of a mixture of 5% ethanol extract from EJ leaves (EJE) and water extract from SM roots (SMW) on Aβ1–42-induced toxicity in an in vitro model. Treatment with the mixture (1:1) of EJ and SM (Mix) produced significantly better protection of cells from Aβ-induced toxicity and more strongly suppressed caspase-3 activity compared to treatment with EJE or SMW alone. Additionally, EJE, SMW, and Mix attenuated CoCl2-induced hypoxic damage and corticosterone-induced impairment in SH-SY5Y cells. To examine the combined effects of EJE and SMW in in vivo models, behavioral performance in the Morris water maze was tested two days after injection of Aβ1–42. Administration of Mi...