Active Compounds of Rhubarb Root and Rhizome in Animal Model Experiments of Focal Cerebral Ischemia.
Rhubarb root and rhizome (RRR) has been clinically used for stroke at least 2000 years and is still used in modern times in both China and elsewhere worldwide. The objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of active compounds of RRR (ACRRR) for experimental ischemic stroke. Studies of ACRRR in animal models of ischemic stroke were identified from 5 databases until April 2014. Study quality for each included article was evaluated according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. Outcome measures were neurological deficit score and infarct size. All the data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1 software. As a result, 20 studies were identified describing procedures involving 577 animals. The quality score of studies ranges from 2 to 6, and the median was 3.4. Six studies showed significant effects of ACRRR for improving infarct size compared with model group (P < 0.01). Six studies indicated significant effects of ACRRR for improving the neurological deficit scores according to Zea longa criterion or eight-point criterion (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings demonstrated a possible efficacy of ACRRR that have potential neuroprotective effect for experimental ischemic stroke. However, these apparently positive findings should be interpreted with caution because of the methodological flaws.
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Ai-Ju
AJ
Liu
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Liang
L
Song
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Yan
Y
Li
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Xiao-Guang
XG
Zhang
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Zi-Xian
ZX
Chen
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Li-Bo
LB
Huang
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Hong-Feng
HF
Zhang
Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Guo-Qing
GQ
Zheng