Effect of Longshengzhi Capsule on Behavior and Cerebral Protection in Stroke Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of Longshengzhi capsule (LSZC) on behavior, serum biochemical index, nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) and cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3(Caspase-3) in stroke rats. Method:Ischaemic stroke was induced by the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). The male sprague-dawley rats with successful pMCAO modeling were randomly divided into five groupsmodel (pMCAO) group, nimodipine (12 mg·kg-1) group and LSZC groups (2.4, 1.2, 0.6 g·kg-1). A sham group also set in the study. The intragastric administration lasted for 14 days. The rats were tested for neurological deficits, grip strength, rotation tolerance. An open field test was also performed to evaluate the behavior. The pathology of the brain was studied by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rat serum were tested in the experiment. Immunohistochemistry (ICH) and Western blot were used to analyze the expressions of Caspase-3 and NF-κB. Result:Compared the model group, LSZC significantly improved the grip strength, rotation tolerance and spontaneous activity. LSZC markedly reduced infarct volume, water content of brain, neurological scores, body weight decline in MCAO stroke rats (PPPPκB. Conclusion:LSZC treatment can improve neurological deficit function and protect the brain of stroke rats. This effect may be realized by down-regulating the expressions of NF-κB and Caspase-3.