RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the protective effects of total rhizoma panacis japonica saponins (tRPJS)on rat brains after focal cerebral ischemia injury, and to explore its protective mechanisms of tRPJS. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia in rats was produced by 24 h occlusion the right part of the middle cerebral artery(MCAO).The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA)in ischemic tissue of brain as well as the brain pathological changes were analyzed. Results The activities of GSH-PX, SOD and CAT were lowered and the content of MDA was elevated in the model rats. Treatment with tRPJS 200, 100, 50 mg? kg-1 could significantly improve the activities of all the enzymes mentioned above and reduce the content of MDA in ischemic tissue of brain. Conclusion The tRPJS has protective effect against focal cerebral ischemic injury and this may be related to the increase of activities the GSH-PX, SOD and CAT and to the reduction of the lipid peroxidation.