Objective:The effects of Yulangsan polysaccharides(YLSP) on Caspase-3 expression and activity of the frontal lobe and hippocampus in senescence accelerated-prone mouse 8(SAMP8) mice brain were investigated. Method: The SAMP8 mice were adopted as the Alzheimer's disease model group

and SAMR1 as the control group. Both groups were randomized and given 0.5%CMC-Na solution. Huperzine(0.02 mg·kg-1) was given to drug-positive group and two YLSP groups were given 45

180 mg·kg-1 respectively

continuous administration for 40 days. In the frontal lobe and hippocampus

Caspase-3 expression and activity were detected respectively by immunohistochemical method and Caspase-3 activity assay kit. Result: In model group

Caspase-3 expression and activity were obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.01). In drug-positive and YLSP groups

Caspase-3 expression and activity were obviously lower than that in model group(P<0.01). YLSP presented a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Conclusion: The abnormal Caspase-3 expression and activity can be reduced by YLSP

and it has the protective function towards neural cell apoptosis in SAMP8 mouse brain.