Effects of phenolic components of Gastrodia elata Blume on NO and NOS in hippocampus of rat model of cerebral ischemia

Objective To investigate the effects of phenolic components of Gastrodia elata Blume (PG) on nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia. Methods The experimental cerebral ischemia model was established by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries.After six weeks,the rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham operation group,model group,nimodipine group,phenolic components of Gastrodia elata high-dose group and the phenolic components low dose group,n = eight.After three weeks,the content of NO and activity of NOS in hippocampus were determined by colorimetric method.The expression of three subtypes of NOS in hippocampus was determined by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham group,the content of NO,activity of NOS,the expression of nNOS and iNOS in hippocampus was increased,the expression of eNOS was decreased in the model group.Compared with the model group,the content of NO,activity of NOS, the expression of nNOS and iNOS in hippocampus decreased,the expression of eNOS increased in the high-dose and nimodipine groups.The activity of NOS and expression of iNOS in hippocampus decreased in the low-dose group,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05,P0.01). Conclusions The results suggest that PG can protect against the NO damage in hippocampus of the cerebral ischemic rats.