Abstract:

Objective: To study the neuroprotective effect of polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats. Methods: Rats were subjected to 1 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using an intraluminal nylon filament followed by 24 h reperfusion. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham group, reperfusion group, distilled water group and polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group. The neurological deficit score was determined and the contents of water and total sodium, potassium were detected and pathological changes were observed in the ischemic brain tissues. Results and the neurological deficit scores in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group were significantly lower than those in reperfusion group and distilled water group (P＜0.05). The injured neurons in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group were significantly fewer than those in reperfusion group and distilled water group (P ＜0.01). The contents of water and total sodium in Polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group were significantly lower than those in reperfusion group and distilled water group (P＜0.01). The total potassium in polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group was significantly higher than that in reperfusion group and distilled water group (P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion: polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz can show neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion via alleviating brain edema, decreasing injured neurons and improving neurologic impairment.

Key words: polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, brain ischemia, reperfusion, neuroprotective effect