β淀粉样蛋白（β-AP）在阿尔茨海默病（AD）发病中起关键作用。但目前对其形成的分子机制仍不清楚。前期芯片研究发现，有30个差异表达的关键性环状 RNA （circRNA）可能参与β-AP生成调控，其中，与三七总皂苷（PNS）干预相关的circRNA有6个。据此，我们提出假设：在AD的发生发展过程中，circRNA参与了β-AP的生成调控，PNS可通过调控circRNA的表达从而影响β-AP产生，进而发挥其治疗AD作用。本课题拟从中选3～5个差异表达2倍以上的关键性circRNA，采用生化与分子生物学和动物行为学手段，研究这些circRNA参与调控β-AP生成的分子调控机制，在此基础上，研究PNS是否通过调控circRNA的表达来调控β-AP生成进而延缓AD发病，并阐明其机制。为以circRNA为靶点研发防治AD新药提供实验资料，为开发PNS防治AD提供更多的科学依椐。

Amyliod β-protein (β-AP) plays a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease(AD). However, the mechanism ofβ-AP production is still unknown. Our previous study has showed that there are 30 differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) involving in β-AP production using circRNA chip. Among these circRNAs, 6 circRNAs are differentially expressed after Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) treatment. Based on the above results, we hypothesize that circRNAs contribute to the regulation ofβ-AP production in AD, and PNS can regulate the expressions of circRNAs to inhibit the production ofβ-AP, thereby playing a positive role in the treatment of AD. The current project is aimed to choose 3-5 highly expressed circRNAs and investigate the role of these circRNAs in β-AP production in AD and illuminate its possible mechanisms using molecular biology and behavioral approaches. Furthermore, we will investigate the effect of PNS on circRNAs, thereby inhibiting the production of β-AP. The project will not only provide theoretical and experimental evidence for PNS to treat AD, but also offer several circRNAs as novel targets for development therapeutic agents against AD.