The mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin formula to improve neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the TLR4/NF‑κB/NLRP3 pathway

Yizhi Qingxin formula (YQF) is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study explored the mechanism of YQF to improve AD-related neuroinflammation <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>. The behavioral tests, immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot were performed. The present results showed that YQF ameliorated cognitive deficits, reduced hippocampal Aβ deposition, and decreased the number of GFAP and Iba1-positive cells. The results also indicated that YQF suppressed neuroinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. In summary, YQF provides a multi-targeted strategy for AD-related neuroinflammation, which may address limitations of single-pathway therapies.