Objective: To investigate the effects of Yishen Huazhuo decoction on the proliferation and differentiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neural stem cells (NSCs)

and to provide experimental basis for the treatment of AD by Yishen Huazhuo decoction. Method: NSCs were isolated from Kunming rats at embryonic day (E) 14 and were processed with β-amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35). The cells were randomly divided into blank group

model group (5 μmol·L-1 Aβ25-35) and Aβ25-35+YSHZ decoction low dose group (0.1 mg·L-1)

middle dose group (1 mg·L-1) and high dose group (10 mg·L-1).The drug was added after 2 h of Aβ25-35 action

and the cells were detected after 48 h of culture. The effect of Yishen Huazhuo decoction on the proliferation of NSCs was observed by

WST method and its effect on differentiation was determined by immune fluorescence method. Result: Compared with the blank group

the cell activity in model group was significantly reduced

with increased (GFAP+/DAPI)% and reduced (Tubulin+/DAPI)%

with significantly statistical difference (P<0.05)

and the low dose group achieved the best effect. Conclusion: Yishen Huazhuo decoction promotes the proliferation of NSCs mediated by Aβ25-35

induces NSCs differentiation to neurons and inhibits their differentiation to astrocytes.