Rutaecarpine Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Stimulating Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Release in the Rat Brain / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of rutaecarpine on the cerebral injury and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) level during focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Rats were intravenously given three doses of rutaecarpine (50, 100 and 300?g/kg) or vehicle 30 minutes before experiment. Then the rats subjected middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours, and neurological deficits scores were performed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after reperfusion. After the last test the animals were sacrificed, the infarct volumes were determined by TTC staining, and CGRP levels were measured by radioimmuoassay. Results Rutaecarpine significantly reduced infarct volume, and improved cerebral function in dose-dependent manner compared with vehicle. Rutaecarpine significantly inecreased brain CGRP levels after reperfusion as well. Conclusion Rutaecarpine has marked protective effects on ischemic brain damage in rats possibly by increasing CGRP release in the brain.