title: Neuroprotective effect of calycosin on cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radix Astragali has been commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in China for reinforcing vital energy, strengthening superficial resistance and promoting the discharge of pus and the growth of new tissue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of calycosin isolated from the roots of Radix Astragali on cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 24h of reperfusion following ischemia for 2h induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), Sprague-Dawley rats were intragastrically administered different doses of calycosin (7.5, 15, 30 mg/kg, respectively). Neurological deficit, infarct volume, histopathology changes and some oxidative stress markers were evaluated after 24h of reperfusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with calycosin significantly ameliorated neurologic deficit and infarct volume after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Calycosin also reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and up-regulated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, calycosin can also inhibit the expression of 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that calycosin has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The mechanism might be attributed to its antioxidant effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, PR China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Miaomaio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Haifan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hailong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Aidong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D007529:Isoflavones; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C121707:7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C027576:4-hydroxy-2-nonenal