Point application with Angong Niuhuang sticker protects hippocampal and cortical neurons in rats with cerebral ischemia

Angong Niuhuang pill, a Chinese materia medica preparation, can improve neurological func-tions after acute ischemic stroke. Because of its inconvenient application and toxic components （Cinnabaris andRealgar）, we used transdermal enhancers to deliverAngong Niuhuang pill by modern technology, which expanded the safe dose range and clinical indications. In this study, Angong Niuhuang stickers administered at different point application doses （1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 g/kg） were administered to theDazhui （DU14）, Qihai（RN6） andMingmen （DU4） of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, for 4 weeks. The Morris water maze was used to determine the learning and memory ability of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe neuronal damage of the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia. The middle- and high-dose point application ofAngong Niuhuangstickers attenuated neuronal damage in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region, and improved the memory of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia with an efifcacy similar to interventions by electroacupuncture at Dazhui （DU14）,Qihai （RN6） andMingmen （DU4）. Our experimental ifndings indicate that point application withAngong Niuhuang stickers can improve cognitive function after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats and is neuroprotective with an equivalent efifcacy to acupuncture.

Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in rats with focal cerebral ischemia after Angong Niuhuang sticker point application

In this study, we extracted and purified components in the Angong Niuhuang pill. Then we applied transdermal enhancers to Angong Niuhuang stickers by modern technology. The Angong Niuhuang sticker includes extracts from curcuma, berberine hydrochloride, baicalin, geniposide, borneol, and musk. Angong Niuhuang stickers at different point application doses （1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 g/kg） were administered to Dazhui （DU14）, Qihai （RN6） and Mingmen （DU4）. Rats in the different dose point application and acupuncture groups were continuously administered for 7 days. Then a middle cerebral artery occlusion model was prepared for simulating human cerebral ischemia. Twelve hours later, expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 protein in hippocampal CA1 were detected with immunohistochemistry. The expression level of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, significantly increased in the high-, medium- and low-dose point application groups and the acupuncture group, while the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax and p53, significantly decreased compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion rats; and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly increased. The difference was noticeable for the high-dose point application group, which showed statistical difference compared with the low-dose point application group and the acupuncture group. Our experimental findings indicate that point application with Angong Niuhuang stickers promotes the expression of Bcl-2, and inhibits the expressions of Bax and p53 in the hippocampal CA1 area of rats after focal cerebral ischemia. Thus, point application of Angong Niuhang stickers protects brain tissues from cerebral ischemia.

安宫牛黄贴穴位敷贴对实验性小鼠脑缺血的保护作用

目的:研究安宫牛黄贴穴位敷贴对实验性小鼠脑缺血的保护作用。方法:取昆明种小鼠,随机分成5组,即模型组、阳性药物组[安宫牛黄丸0.39 g(kg·d)灌胃]和穴位敷贴高、中、低剂量组,连续给药7 d后,分别采用小鼠断头、小鼠双侧颈总动脉结扎、小鼠脑卒中、胶原蛋白-肾上腺素诱导小鼠肺血栓形成模型,观察穴位敷贴对急性脑缺血、脑卒中神经行为评分的影响及其抗血栓作用。结果:安宫牛黄贴穴位敷贴能延长小鼠断头喘气时间及双侧颈动脉结扎小鼠存活时间,降低小鼠脑卒中指数,且能明显减少肺血栓小鼠死亡数量,提高存活率,与模型组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),与安宫牛黄丸疗效相当,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:安宫牛黄贴穴位敷贴对实验性小鼠脑缺血具有保护作用。