journal article
LitStream Collection
Effects of the methylene chloride fraction from modified Boyang-Hwan-o-Tang, a polyherbal medicine on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischemia in rats
Oh, Tae Woo; Jung, Hyo Won; Shin, Gil Jo; Park, Yong-Ki
doi: 10.1007/s11655-013-1554-zpmid: 24474674
Abstract Objective To study the neuroprotective effect of the methylene chloride fraction from modified Boyang-Hwan-o-Tang (mBHT-MC), especially against neuronal apoptosis. Methods mBHT-MC (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg) was orally administered once per day for 7 days in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced ischemic rats. Infarction volumes was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit score and the expression of apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 by Western blot in MCAO-induced ischemic brain. Neuronal apoptosis in ischemic phenumbra was also investigated by staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Nissl and Hoechst 33342. Results mBHT-MC administration in MCAO rats significantly decreased infarction volume and neurological deficit scores. mBHT-MC significantly enhanced Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited Bax and caspase-3 expression in ischemic brain. In addition, mBHT-MC significantly decreased the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in ischemic brains. Conclusions mBHT-MC administration inhibits neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia in rats, suggesting that mBHT-MC has a neuroprotective property in brain ischemia.