title: Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in rats with focal cerebral ischemia after Angong Niuhuang sticker point application.
abstract: In this study, we extracted and purified components in the Angong Niuhuang pill. Then we applied transdermal enhancers to Angong Niuhuang stickers by modern technology. The Angong Niuhuang sticker includes extracts from curcuma, berberine hydrochloride, baicalin, geniposide, borneol, and musk. Angong Niuhuang stickers at different point application doses (1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 g/kg) were administered to Dazhui (DU14), Qihai (RN6) and Mingmen (DU4). Rats in the different dose point application and acupuncture groups were continuously administered for 7 days. Then a middle cerebral artery occlusion model was prepared for simulating human cerebral ischemia. Twelve hours later, expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 protein in hippocampal CA1 were detected with immunohistochemistry. The expression level of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, significantly increased in the high-, medium- and low-dose point application groups and the acupuncture group, while the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and p53, significantly decreased compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion rats; and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly increased. The difference was noticeable for the high-dose point application group, which showed statistical difference compared with the low-dose point application group and the acupuncture group. Our experimental findings indicate that point application with Angong Niuhuang stickers promotes the expression of Bcl-2, and inhibits the expressions of Bax and p53 in the hippocampal CA1 area of rats after focal cerebral ischemia. Thus, point application of Angong Niuhang stickers protects brain tissues from cerebral ischemia.
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Dongshu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Maodong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Chenglong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Caiyun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaochun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Yuanliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: Angong Niuhuang sticker; Bax; Bcl-2; acupuncture; apoptosis; brain injury; cerebral ischemia; neural regeneration; p53; point application