Neuroprotection by the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tao‐Hong‐Si‐Wu‐Tang, against Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion‐Induced Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Abstract

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TMC). In the present study, oral administration of THSWT (0.7 and 1.4 g kg−1day−1) for 14 days before MCAO dose-dependently attenuated focal cerebral ischemia in rats. MCAO-induced focal cerebral ischemia was associated with increases in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and active caspase-3 expressions in ischemic regions. These expressions were obviously inhibited by 0.7 g kg−1day−1 THSWT treatment. In addition, THSWT inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen in washed platelets. In an in vivo study, THSWT (16 g kg−1) significantly prolonged platelet plug formation in mice. However, THSWT (20 and 40 μg mL−1) did not significantly reduce the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity of hydroxyl radical (OH•) formation. In conclusion, the most important findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that THSWT possesses potent neuroprotective activity against MCAO-induced focal cerebral ischemia in vivo. This effect may be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of both HIF-1α and TNF-α activation, followed by the inhibition of inflammatory responses (i.e., iNOS expression), apoptosis formation (active caspase-3), and platelet activation, resulting in a reduction in the infarct volume in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury.

Proteomic Identification of Nrf2‐Mediated Phase II Enzymes Critical for Protection of Tao Hong Si Wu Decoction against Oxygen Glucose Deprivation Injury in PC12 Cells

“…Our previous study showed that THSWD could regulate the angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane, indicating the potential application for the recovery after cerebral ischemia [7]. Another previous study has verified that THSWD exhibited neuroprotective activity against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury [8]. The present study also confirmed this by discovering THSWD mediated protection against OGD-Rep induced injury in PC12 cells.…”

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction ameliorates steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head by regulating the HIF-1α pathway and cell apoptosis

“…THSWD has been used to treat rabbits in a model of SANFH, resulting in reduced blood viscosity, increased regeneration of local microvessels, improved local blood supply, and facilitation of the recovery of the necrotic femoral head (21,22). THSWD appears to be closely associated with regulation of HIF-1α, and HIF-1α is reported to prevent the occurrence of SANFH (1,23). However, few systematic studies have consolidated the aforementioned findings, and whether THSWD affects SANFH via the HIF-1α signaling pathway is still debated.…”

Protective effect of Danhong injection on cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

“…Although tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been approved by FDA to treat stroke patients, this therapeutic strategy is confronted with ill side effects and is limited to patients within 3 hours of a stroke. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines have been used in ancient medicine systems as treatments for various ailments associated with stroke and have exhibited their special neuroprotective benefits on cerebral ischemia for centuries (Chen, 2012;Jaffer et al, 2011;Wu et al, 2011).…”