Abstract: Objective:To study the effect of polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz on brain edema following traumatic brain injury(TBI) in rats. Methods:Experimental TBI was induced in anesthetized rats by using free-falling impact model. Eighty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group,TBI group,distilled water group and polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group. Then three subgroups of rats were obtained at different time intervals after TBI. The contents of water,malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity of injury regions of traumatic brain tissues were detected. Results:Although the contents of water and MDA in TBI group,distilled water group and polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group are significantly more than those in control group at different time intervals(3 and 5 days) after TBI(p<0.01),these items are significantly less in polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group than those in TBI group and distilled water group(p<0.01). SOD activity is significantly lower in TBI group,distilled water group and polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group than that in control group(p<0.01),but it is significantly higher in polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz group than that in TBI group or distilled water group(p<0.01). Conclusion:The polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz could dramatically improve SOD activity,decrease MDA and alleviate brain edema in rats suffering TBI.

Key words: polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, brain injury, brain edema, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde