Objective: This experiment was used to investigate the protective effect of Tangzhiqing formula(TZQ)

clearing prescription on learning

memory ability and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in type 2 diabetic rats. Method: SD male rats were fed with high glucose and high fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg·kg-1) intraperitoneal injection to produce type 2 diabetes mellitus model. The model rats were randomly divided into model group

high

middle and low dose group

the daily dose was 12

6

3 g·kg-1

compared with normal control group. After 8 weeks

the Morris maze test was conducted. The pathological structure of hippocampus was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining

and the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was detected by TdT\|mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining. Result: Compared with the model group

TZQ could significantly reduce the blood glucose of type 2 diabetic rats (P<0.05

P<0.01); reduce latency of escape (P<0.05

P<0.01); increase the number of crossing platform

the platform of swimming distance and swimming time(P<0.05

P<0.01); improve pathological of hippocampus tissue; significantly reduce the apoptotic index of hippocampal neurons (P<0.01). Conclusion: TZQ could significantly reduce the high glucose of type 2 diabetes model rats fed with high fat diet and injected low dose streptozotocin. TZQ improved insulin resistance

learning and memory ability in rats. TZQ also could protect hippocampal neurons and reduce apoptosis.