[Experimental study on effect of Tongxinluo on nerve cell apoptosis after cerebral ischemia in middle cerebral arterial obstructive model rats].

Objective: To explore the action mechanism of Tongxinluo Capsule (TXL) in protecting brain from ischemic damage.

Methods: SD rats were divided into five groups randomly, the sham operation group, the model group, the MK-801 group, the large and low dosage TXL groups (TXLL and TXLS). After the middle cerebral arterial obstructive (MCAO) model was established, peritoneal injection of MK-801 0.5 mg/kg per day was given to the MK-801 group, and 1.0 g/(kg x d) and 0.5 g/(kg x d) of TXL powder was administered in twice via gastrogavage to the two TXL groups respectively. The nerve cell apoptosis rate, protein and mRNA expressions of Caspase-3, p53 and heat shock protein (HSP70) were observed using flow cytometry, Western blot and RT-PCR technique.

Results: Both TXL and MK-801 could obviously lower the apoptosis rate in model rat (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), TXLL showed the optimal effect. Caspase-3, p53 protein and mRNA expression in the model group were obviously higher than those in the sham operated group. As compared with the model group, the expressions of Caspase-3 and p53 were lower and those of HSP70 and mRNA were higher in the two TXL and MK-801 groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusion: TXL displays it brain protective effect through reducing nerve cell apoptosis rate in MCAO model rats, the mechanism may be related to its actions in inhibiting apoptosis related factors Caspase-3 and p53, and promoting stress protecting factor HSP70.