Abstract
Neuroprotective and prophylatic neuroprotective effects of the Rhei Rhizoma on the rats' transient forebrain ischemia caused by 4-vessel-occlusion are concluded as following. 1. The neuroprotective effects of i.p. injection and oral administration on the neuronal density of hypothermic rats in the CAI region of the hippocampus 7 days after 10-miniute 4-VO. provided significant neuroprotection at the dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg. 2. The neuroprotective effects of Rhei Rhizoma extracts i.p. injection and oral administration on the neuronal density of normothermic rats in the CAI region of the hippocampus 7 days after 10-miniute 4-VO. provided significant neuroprotection at the dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg against the ischemia-induced cell death when i.p injection and administration was initiated immediatcly after occlusion. 3. The prophylactic neuroprotective effects of Rhei Rhizoma extracts i.p. injection and oral administration pretreatment on the neuronal density of hypothermic rats in the CAI region of the hippocampus 7 days after 10-miniute 4-VO, provided significant prophylactic neuroprotection at the dosage of 500 and 1000 mg/kg against the ischemia-induced cell death when i.p. injection administration was initiated immediately after occlusion. 4. The prophylactic neuroprotective effects of Rhei Rhizoma extracts i.p. injection and oral administration pretreatment on the neuronal density of normothermic rats in the CAI region of the hippocampus 7 days after 10-miniute 4-VO. provided significant prophylactic neuroprotection at the dosage of 1000 mg/kg against the ischemia-induced cell death when i.p. injection and administration was initiated immediately after occlusion. According to the above results, Rhei Rhizoma has showed neuroprotective and prophylatic neuroprotective effects on the rats' transient forebrain ischemia caused by 4-vessel-occlusion. Therefore Rhei Rhizoma is recommended to be used for the prevention and curing of ischamia diseases.