Protection of Zhenlong Xingnao Capsule on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury of rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the protective effect of Zhenlong Xingnao Capsule (ZXC) on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury of rats. Methods: Total 120 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham operation group, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model group, Nimodipine (37 mg/kg BW) group, low-dose ZXC (125 mg/kg) group, and high-dose ZXC (250 mg/kg). A focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was made by using the occlusion of MCAO and occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery in rats. The infarct volume and the neurological deficit were determined by TTC staining and Longa's score; And to determine the contents of GSH, T-AOC, T-SOD, and MDA in left and right half brain tissues. To detect the protein expression level changes of P38, NF-κB, Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3 by Western blotting method. Results: Compared with the Sham operation group, the neurologic symptom scores and infarct volume of MCAO of rats in model group were significantly increased, and the vigor of T-AOC and T-SOD was decreased. At the same time the protein expression of P38 and Caspase-3 was promoted. Compared with the model group, the neurologic symptom scores, injury degree of brain tissues, and brain infarct volume of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were significantly decreased in the Nimodipine, low-dose ZXC, and high-dose ZXC groups, the vigor of T-SOD and T-AOC was increased. The high-dose ZXC can inhibit P38 and Caspase-3 expressions. Conclusion: ZXC has the obvious protective effect on the brain ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the improvement of neurological function, the reduction of free radical injury, the inhibition of inflammation and the cell apoptosis.