ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effects of Naotai formula extract(NTE)on the expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and hephaestin(Heph) in hippocampus of rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion by Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.Methods Eighty rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: sham operation group(Sham), cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group(I/R), low dose group of NTE(4.5 g·kg-1), middle dose group of NTE (9 g·kg-1) and high dose group of NTE(18 g·kg-1).Rats were pretreated by intragastric administration for three consecutive days, and then subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) 2 hours before reperfusion.The rats were administered with intragastric administration for two days.After cerebral ischemia reperfusion 72 hours, the behavioral activity of rats was recorded by Zea Longa neurological score, and the infarct volume was measured by TTC staining.The expressions of Nrf2, HO-1 and Heph in hippocampus of cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats were observed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results Compared with model group, the neurobehavioral scores significantly decreased in NTE high-dose and middle-dose groups (P<0.01);the infarct volume of NTE groups markedly decreased (P<0.01);the expression of HO-1 mRNA apparently increased (P<0.05) in NTE groups;the expression of Heph mRNA significantly increased in NTE middle-dose and high-dose groups (P<0.05);the expression of Nrf2 and Heph protein evidently increased in the NTE middle and high dose groups (P<0.05, P<0.01);and the expression of HO-1 protein also increased in NTE groups(P<0.01).Conclusions Naotai formula can relieve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.The mechanism might be associated with activating Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways, promoting HO-1 generation, advancing the expression of Heph, and then reducing brain iron deposition, to achieve the protection of neurons after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of different compatibility ratios of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix on vascular intimal hyperplasia; To ascertain the effective compatibility of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix for antagonizing vascular intimal hyperplasia. Methods SD rats were divided into different groups by baseline geometric design method: Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix different compatibility ratios groups, Astragali Radix group, Angelicae Sinensis Radixgroup, positive medicinegroup and sham-operation group. A model of intimal hyperplasia of thoracoabdominal aorta was established by balloon catheter injury in vascular endothelium of rats. Then the thoracoabdominal aorta was taken out after gavage of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix with different compatibility ratios for 14 days. Bloodletting was used to take thoracoabdominal aorta. Masson staining and Morphometric methods were used to analyze the intimal hyperplasia. Results IA, IT, HRIA and HRIT increased 14 day after intimal injury. Compared with the model group, IA, IT, HRIA and HRIT in Angelicae Sinensis Radix group, Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1:2 group, Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1:5 group, Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1:1 group and Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 5:1 group were lower, and the effects of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1:1 ratio were strongest. The effects on intimal hyperplasia in Astragali Radix group and Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis 2:1 group had no significant differences compared with model group. Conclusion Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis can inhibit vascular intimal hyperplasia in a certain compatibility ratios, and the effects of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1:1 on intimal hyperplasia are the best.