Objective To investigate the effects of a Chinese traditional prescription PN-1 on behavioral and psychological symptoms in APP/PS1 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). MethodsMouse models at 5 months of age were randomly divided into model group (vehicle), Aricept administration group (2 mg/kg), PN-1 at low (0.6 g/kg), middle (1.2 g/kg) and high (2.4 g/kg) doses. The wild-type littermates were chosen as normal control group (WT). The 16 mice (8 males and 8 females) in each group were given once every day by intragastric administration of PN-1, Aricept or water for 3 months. The body weight and the amount of water drinking and food intakes were measured before administration and every two weeks during administration. After the drug administration, a battery of behavioral tests including social interaction, open field, rota-rod and sucrose preference were performed. ResultsDuring the administration, no changes in body weight and food/water intake were detected in PN-1-treated mice, compared with the age-matched wild-type control and vehicle mice (P > 0.05). Compared with the mice in the vehicle group, social interaction test showed reduced attack, chasing and sniffing in the PN-1-treated groups (P < 0.05). The mice in the PN-1-treated groups showed decreased spontaneous motor activity (P < 0.05), highly mobile duration (P < 0.05), frequency to center zone (P < 0.05) and increased frequency of grooming in the open field test. Rota-rod test exhibited increased time spent on rod (P<0.05) for the PN-1-treated mice. In addition, increased sucrose consumption was also found in the PN-1-treated group, however, no statistically significant difference was found compared with the vehicle group (P>0.05). ConclusionsPN-1-treatment can ameliorate many non-cognitive behaviors and psychological symptoms in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse models, including rescued hyperactive social interaction, spontaneous motor activity, improved ability to learn balance, and reduced anxiety, irritability and other psychological symptoms.