Effect of puerarin on mRNA expression of α7nAChR,NF-кBp65 and STAT3 in brain after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective: To explore the effect of puerarin on mRNA expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR),nuclear factor kappa Bp65(NF-кBp65) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) in brain after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats with a view on cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.Methods: Adult male SD rats were divided randomly into 5 groups.Rats in puerarin group and α-bungarotoxin(α-BGT) group were administered intravenously with puerarin,while nicotine group were given intravenously with nicotine.After 5 days of pretreatment,the middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established according to Zea Longa's method.Rats in α-BGT group were injected intravenously with α-BGT immediately when the occlusion was conducted.After 24 hours of reperfusion,the infarct areas were assessed.And RT-PCR were performed to examine the mRNA expression of α7nAChR,NF-кBp65 and STAT3 in ischemic brains.Results: Compared with model group,nicotine and puerarin could reduce the infarct areas of the brain,enhance mRNA expression of α7nAChR and STAT3 in the brains of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats,low mRNA expression of NF-кBp65(P0.01,P0.05) significantly.While α-BGT could block the above effects of puerarin.Conclusion: Puerarin has beneficial effect of anti-inflammation in animal model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,and the underlying mechanism may be related to activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.