Objective: To observe the effects of compound Rehmanniae Radix on learning and memory abilities

as well as expressions of Wnt pathway associated proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats. Method: The 60 healthy Wistar rats were screened by Morris water maze

and randomly divided into 5 groups:normal group

model group

compound Rehmanniae Radix low does(1.35 g·kg-1) group

compound Rehmanniae Radix high does(3.37 g·kg-1) group and galanthamine(0.6 mg·kg-1) group

n=12 in each group. The AD models were induced by injecting Aβ23-35 in the bilateral hippocampus

10 μL for each side at one time. On 9th day after injection of Aβ23-35

the rats in compound Rehmanniae Radix groups and galanthamine group were given with corresponding medicines by intragastric administration for a course of 30 days. The water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability in rats

the positioning and quantitative expressions of Wnt pathway associated proteins (Axin) and cell cycle proteins (Cyclin D1) in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemisty

Western blot and Real-time PCR. Result: As compared with the normal group

the escape latency and the time to first reach the original platform quadrant were significantly more in model group (P < 0.01). As compared with the model group

the escape latency and the time to first reach the original platform quadrant were significantly reduced in galanthamine group and compound Rehmanniae Radix groups (P < 0.05). As compared with galanthamine group

the time to first reach the original platform quadrant was reduced in compound Rehmanniae Radix high dose group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemisty results showed that

positive expression was in cytoplasm for Axin and in nucleus for Cyclin D1.Western blot and Real-time PCR test results showed that

as compared with the normal group

the protein and mRNA expression levels of Axin in hippocampus were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01)

as compared with the model group

the protein and mRNA expression levels of Axin in hippocampus were significantly decreased (P < 0.05)

while the protein and mRNA expression levels of Cyclin D1 were significantly increased in compound Rehmanniae Radix groups and the galanthamin group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compound Rehmanniae Radix can improve the ability of learning and memory in AD rats

and its mechanism may be closed related to reducing the expression of Wnt pathway related proteins Axin and enhancing the expression of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus of AD rats.