Studies on endogenous neuronal mediator with responsibility for anti-dementia effect of Kampo medicine

In this study, we have demonstrated the anti-dementia effects of chotosan, yokukansan, and kangenkaryu using animal models of cognitive deficits. We have also suggested that vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factors, as well as facilitation of central cholinergic systems and neuroplasticity systems, are involved in the action of these crude drugs. The present findings that VEGF/PDGF and their receptors are co-localized with NMDA-type glutamate receptors in the cerebral cortical neurons allowed us to infer that VEGF/PDGF may act as endogenous factors that mediate the anti-dementia effects of chotosan, kangen-karyu, and yokukansan.