Neuroprotective Effect of HyulBuChookAu-Tang on Focal Cerebral Ischemia of the Rats

Objectives; This study examined the neuroprotective effect of Hyulbuchookautang (血府逐瘀湯, HBCAT)against neural damage following focal cerebral infarction. Methods : Sprague-Dawley Rats were induced with focal cerebral infarction by temporal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The rats were divided into 2 groups. We treated extract of HBCAT to one group after operation (sample group), and the other group wasn't treated after operation (control group). We observed neurological scores and TIC-stained infarct area, total infarct volume in brain sections and Bax-positive neurons, HSP70- positive neurons in brain regions. Results : HBCAT treatment at 3 days after MCAO reduced neurological scores induced by MCAO. HBCAT treatment at 5 days after MCAO reduced TTC-stained infarct area in brain sections induced by MCAO. HBCAT treatment at 5 days after MCAO reduced total infarct volume in brain sections induced by MCAO. HBCAT treatment after MCAO reduced Bax-positive neurons in cortex infarct core and cortex infarct penumbra and caudo-putamen of brain regions induced by MCAO. HBCAT treatment after MCAO reduced HSP70- positive neurons in cortex infarct penumbra of brain regions induced by MCAO. Conclusions : These results suggest that HBCAT has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemia.