Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate and compare the effects of Sunghyangjunggi-san (SH) and Gwackhyangjunggi-san (GH) extracts on reperfusion following the MCA occlusion in rats. Methods : To evaluate the effect of Sunghyangjunggi-san (SH) and Gwackhyangjunggi-san (GH) extracts on reperfusion following the MCA occlusion, the volume of cerebral infarction and edema were measured and the change of the CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus were investigated by light microscopy. Results : 1. The infarction volume of the control group was 23.6%, that of the GH group was 23.7%, and that of the SH group was 18.5%. 2. The brain edema volume of the control group increased by 16% compared with that of the normal group, that of the GH group increased by 14%, and that of the SH group increased by 9%. 3. The number of surviving pyramidal neurons in the CAI area of the hippocampus was investigated under light microscopy. In the control group, few surviving pyramidal neurons excisted (mean 6.4) and similarly in the GH group (mean 8.5), but in the SH group, the number of surviving pyramidal neurons was significantly higher, to the mean 18.4. Conclusions : According to the above results, in regard to the damage of neurons following cerebral ischemia, the GH group has little effect of the protection of neurons compared to the control group, but the SH group has a remarkable effect.