Components in SLPE Alleviate AD Model Nematodes by Up-Regulating Gene gst-5

Salvia leucanthais a perennial herb of the genusSalviain the family Labiatae, which has a wide range of biological activities, mainly including inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity. To explore the protective effects and mechanism of action ofS. leucanthaon Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the anti-AD activity of SLE (extracts ofS. leucantha) was determined by using a transgenicCaenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans) model (CL4176). Analyses included paralysis assay, phenotypic experiments, transcriptome sequencing, RNA interference (RNAi), heat shock assays, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SLPE (S. leucanthapetroleum ether extract) could significantly delay CL4176 paralysis and extend the longevity ofC. elegansN2 without harmful effects. A total of 927 genes were significantly changed by SLPE treatment inC. elegans,mainly involving longevity regulatory pathways—nematodes, drug metabolism—cytochrome P450, and glutathione metabolic pathways. RNAi showed that SLPE exerted its anti-AD activity through up-regulation of the genegst-5; the most abundant compound in SLPE analyzed by GC-MS was 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), and the compound delayed nematode paralysis. The present study suggests that active components inS. leucanthamay serve as new-type anti-AD candidates and provide some insights into their biological functions.