The Effect of Astragalus Injection on Apoptosis and Expression of JNK3 in Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Objective To study the effect of astragalus injection on neuronal apoptosis and expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase3(JNK3) in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion rat models were established by inserting a filament suture from left external-internal carotid artery, and treated by injecting intraperitoneally astragalus injection(3 mL/kg). The neurobehavioral function was evaluated by Longa's test and the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of JNK3 mRNA and protein were respectively detected by western bloting and RT-PCR. Results After treated by astragalus injection, the expression of JNK3 mRNA and protein, the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampus reduced significantly, while the neurobehavioral function of rats improved than those in model group. Conclusion Astragalus injection might improve the neurobehavioral function of rats by down-regulating the expressions of JNK3 and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.