[Effect of Modified Dihuang Yinzi Recipe and Huatan Tongluo Decoction on Neurological Function of MCAO Rats].

Objective To observe the effect of Modified Dihuang Yinzi Recipe (MDYR) and Hua- tan Tongluo Decoction (HTD) on neurological function of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the nimodipine (NMDP) group, the MDYR group, and the HTD group, 8 in each group. NMDP liquid was administered to rats in the NMDP group by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 12 mg/kg. MDYR liquid was administered to rats in the MDYR group by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 7. 9 mg/kg. HTD liquid was administered to rats in the HTD group by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 6. 5 mg/kg. Equal volume of distilled water as administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group by gastrogavage. All intervention lasted for 7 successive days. MCAO rat model was established. The Zealonga neurology score was measured. Neurological function was scored at 3 and 6 h, day 1 , 6, and 7, respectively. Levels of corticotropin releasing hormone ( CRH) in plasma, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisone (CORT) in serum were detected using radioimmunoassay. The expression of ma- trix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP9 ) in brain tissue was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, the Zea-longa neurological score increased; levels of CRH and ACTH decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01) , expression levels of CORT and MMP-9 (in brain tis- sue) increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, the Zea-longa neurologi- cal score obviously decreased, levels of CRH and ACTH increased, expression levels of CORT and MMP-9 (in brain tissue) decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01) in the MDYR group and the HTD group. Com- pared with the NMDP group, serum CORT decreased in the MDYR group (P <0. 05) ; MMP-9 expression level decreased in the HTD group (P <0. 01). Conclusions MDYR and HTD could obviously improve neurologic function of MCAO rats. Its mechanism might be related to MDYR regulating disordered HPA ax- is and HTD inhibiting MMP-9 expression.