Buyanghuanwu recipe inhibits neurona l apoptosis after cerebra l ischemia/reperfusion injury possibly through the p38MAPK/COX2 signa l pathway in rats

[Objective]To investigate the effects of Buyanghuanwu recipe on neuronal apoptosis and its underlying mechanism after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.[Methods]Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats was made by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 90 minutes followed by 24 h reperfusion. The number of neural apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL method. The expressions of p-p38MAPK and COX2 were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western-Blot; the comprehensive behavioral tests were performed daily at 2, 4, 7 d after operation. [Results]Compared with control group, the number of neural apoptotic cells, the p-p38MAPK and COX2 protein level were significantly higher, as well as movement ability defect. While those above index were significantly improved. [Conclusion]Buyanghuanwu recipe could significantly suppress neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats,the molecular mechanism is related to attenuates p38MAPK activation and COX2 expression following I/R.