title: The neuroprotective effects of BNG-1: a new formulation of traditional Chinese medicines for stroke.
abstract: BNG-1, a novel mixture of traditional Chinese medicines with a long history in the treatment of stroke, exhibited acute neuroprotection effect on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Anti-ischemic effects were seen in both animals receiving BNG-1 before the ischemic insult as well as in animals receiving the drug formulation after surgical occlusion of the artery. Anti-thrombic activity was seen in vitro to inhibit arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and in vivo to prolong bleeding time in mice. BNG-1 was also found to inhibit several phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms with potency order of the following rank: PDE 1 > PDE 3 > PDE 6 > PDE 2 > PDE 4 > PDE 5. Other pre-clinical results and emerging clinical data coupled with the present findings suggest that BNG-1 may be a safe and effective therapy for both the prevention and treatment of cerebral stroke. Moreover, the fundamental cellular mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects may result from phosphodiesterase inhibition.
authors.affiliation: MDS Pharma Services Taiwan, Ltd., Taipei (112), Taiwan. fong-chi.cheng@mdsps.com
authors.forename: Fong-Chi
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Wen-Long
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jiann-Wu
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ken-Shung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: George G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Yarbrough
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005894:Panax; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors