RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of mailuoning (MLN) on nerve cells after cerebral infarction induced by photochemistry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty SD rats were divided into three groups, the control group (n = 20), the model group (n = 30) and the MLN group (n = 30). Focal cerebro-ischemia induced by photothrombosis in adult rat was used as a model. Changes of C-Fos protein expression before and after MLN treatment were observed using immunohistochemistry, computerized imaging technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>C-Fos positive cells located in the transitional zone between the necrotic core and normal cortex. C-Fos protein expression began to show 3 hrs after cerebral infarction, peaked at 6 hrs. As compared with the model group, C-Fos expression was significantly reduced in the MLN group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MLN could markedly reduce the injury of nerve cell in the transitional zone, the protection may be related with its inhibition on C-Fos protein expression.</p>