In Vitro Angiogenesis Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction () and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: A Comparison Study / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the angiogenesis behaviors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Chinese medicine Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (, XZD) treatments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were treated with various concentrations of either XZD-containing serum (XZD-CS) or VEGF for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro tube formation assays were used to assess their angiogenic effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VEGF promoted all cellular phases involved in angiogenesis including cell viability, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation (<0.05 or <0.01). Unlike the continuous promotion effects of VEGF at the above stages, XZD inhibited cell viability and proliferation (<0.05 or <0.01) and only promoted tube formation in the early phase of angiogenesis (<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These two medications promote different angiogenesis behaviors, which might be an important reason for their distinct therapeutic profile in clinical usage.</p>

A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy.

Objective. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method for diabetic nephropathy. Methods. 11 electronic databases, through September 2015, were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method for diabetic nephropathy. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Jadad scale. Results. 26 randomized controlled trials were included in our review. Of all the included trials, most of them were considered as high quality. The aggregated results suggested that Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method is beneficial to diabetic nephropathy in bringing down the microalbuminuria (SMD = -0.98, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.74), serum creatinine (SMD = -0.56, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.20), beta-2 microglobulin (MD = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12), fasting plasma glucose (MD = -0.35, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.08), and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (MD = 1.13, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.20), but not in decreasing blood urea nitrogen (SMD = -0.72, 95% CI -1.47 to 0.02) or 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI -1.01 to 0.04). Conclusions. Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method should be a valid complementary and alternative therapy in the management of diabetic nephropathy, especially in improving UAER, serum creatinine, fasting blood glucose, and beta-2 microglobulin. However, more studies with long follow-up are warrant to confirm the current findings.

Effect of EphB4/EphrinB2 reverse signal on angiogenesis induced by Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule () containing serum in human microvascular endothelial cell 1 / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule ()-containing serum (XFZY-CS) on EphB4/ephrinB2 and its reverse signal in human microvascular endothelial cell-1 (HMEC-1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>XFZY-CS and the blank control serum were collected. HMEC-1 cells were randomly assigned to 6 groups including the concentration 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5% XFZY-CS groups and their blank serum control ones. The angiogenesis effect of XFZY-CS was tested with an in vitro tube formation assay and the best condition of pro-angiogenesis was determined. The effect of XFZY-CS on EphB4/ephrinB2 and the reverse signal were determined by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively; we also confifirmed the results through activating and inhibiting the reverse signal by EphB4/fc and pyrophosphatase/ phosphodiesterase2 (PP2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>XFZY-CS promoted angiogenesis at the concentration of 2.5% corresponding serum after being cultured for 48 h, while inhibited angiogenesis at the concentration of 5% after culturing for 48 and 72 h. Under the 2.5% serum concentration, XFZY up-regulated the expression of EphB4-mRNA at 12 h (P<0.05), and down-regulates its expression at 24 h (P<0.01). Protein expression of EphB4 was apparently up-regulated at 12 h and down-regulated at 24 h. The phosphorylation of ephrinB2 increased at 9 h (P<0.05). In addition, 2.5% XFZY-CS played a similar role as the reverse signaling activator EphB4/Fc ranging from 0.5 to 5 μg/mL (P>0.05). XFZY-CS also reduced the inhibitive effect of PP2 in limited periods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EphB4/ephrinB2 was the upstream signal in the process of angiogenesis and its reverse signaling was responsible for XFZY's effect on promoting angiogenesis.</p>

Changes in the Bispectral Index in Response to Loss of Consciousness and No Somatic Movement to Nociceptive Stimuli in Elderly Patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Bispectral index (BIS) is considered very useful to guide anesthesia care in elderly patients, but its use is controversial for the evaluation of the adequacy of analgesia. This study compared the BIS changes in response to loss of consciousness (LOC) and loss of somatic response (LOS) to nociceptive stimuli between elderly and young patients receiving intravenous target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and remifentanil.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was performed on 52 elderly patients (aged 65-78 years) and 52 young patients (aged 25-58 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II. Anesthesia was induced with propofol administered by TCI. A standardized noxious electrical stimulus (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, [TENS]) was applied (50 Hz, 80 mA, 0.25 ms pulses for 4 s) to the ulnar nerve at increasing remifentanil predicted effective-site concentration (Ce) until patients lost somatic response to TENS. Changes in awake, prestimulus, poststimulus BIS, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulse oxygen saturation, predicted plasma concentration, Ce of propofol, and remifentanil at both LOC and LOS clinical points were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BISLOCin elderly group was higher than that in young patient group (65.4 ± 9.7 vs. 57.6 ± 12.3) (t = 21.58, P < 0.0001) after TCI propofol, and the propofol Ce at LOC was 1.6 ± 0.3 μg/ml in elderly patients, which was significantly lower than that in young patients (2.3 ± 0.5 μg/ml) (t = 7.474, P < 0.0001). As nociceptive stimulation induced BIS to increase, the mean of BIS maximum values after TENS was significantly higher than that before TENS in both age groups (t = 8.902 and t = 8.019, P < 0.0001). With increasing Ce of remifentanil until patients lost somatic response to TENS, BISLOSwas the same as the BISLOCin elderly patients (65.6 ± 10.7 vs. 65.4 ± 9.7), and there were no marked differences between elderly and young patient groups in BISawake, BISLOS, and Ce of remifentanil required for LOS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In elderly patients, BIS can be used as an indicator for hypnotic-analgesic balance and be helpful to guide the optimal administration of propofol and remifentanil individually.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>CTRI Reg. No: ChiCTR-OOC-14005629; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=9875.</p>

Roles of bFGF in endothelial cell tube formation induced by xuefu zhuyu decoction under non-anoxia condition / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the roles of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on tube formation induced by xuefu zhuyu decoction (XZD) under non-anoxia condition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using serum pharmacology technique, endothelial cell line ECV304 cells were incubated in routine 95% O2. ECV304 cells were intervened by 1.25%, 2.50%, and 5.00% XZD containing serums and the vehicle serum for 48 h. The effects of XZD on tube formation, bFGF contents and its transcription levels were assessed by in vitro tube formation assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three concentrations of XZD containing serums could not only obviously promote the tube formation bFGF level, but also up-regulate bFGF contents in the supernate and its transcription levels. The shapes of lumens were more regular in those induced by 1.25% and 2.50% XZD containing serums.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XZD induced angiogenesis via up-regulating the bFGF expression under non-anoxia condition.</p>

The research on xiaochalhu decoction improving the inflammation of chronic glomerulonephritis patients and relieving the proteinuria / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the balance of T help cell1/2 (Th1/Th2), the changes of correlated proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4), and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and the abnormal expression of IL-17, the effector of T help cell17 (Th17) in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN)patients with Shaoyang disease, thus revealing the mechanisms of Xiaochaihu Decoction (XD) for treating proteinuria of CGN patients according to the theory of mediating Shaoyang meridian.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 70 CGN patients with Shaoyang disease were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group (treated by XD) and the control group [treated by Shenyan Kangfu Tablet (SKT)], 35 in each group. Besides, 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group. Besides, routine therapy of chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients in the treatment group and the control group were treated with XD and SKT respectively for 4 weeks. The changes of Chinese medical syndrome, the effectiveness, 24-h urinary protein, renal functions, the peripheral blood IFN-gamma, IL-4, Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before treatment the Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES of the two treated groups were higher, and the IL-4 level was lower than those of the healthy control group (P < 0.05). After treatment the improvement of Chinese medical syndrome, main symptoms, the effectiveness was better in the XD group than in the SKT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The proteinuria obviously decreased in the treatment group, with the efficacy superior to the SKT group (P < 0.05). The Th1/Th2, IL-17, and RANTES decreased to various degrees when compared with the SKT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The IL-4 level increased more obviously in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the improvement of the renal function (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The immune disorder of the CGN patients with Shaoyang disease was correlated with Th1/Th2 imbalance, and abnormal changes of Th17 cell functions and RANTES. XD could improve the inflammation by regulating the immune disorder of CGN patients with Shaoyang disease, which proved that the theory of mediating Shaoyang meridian could be used to improve the inflammation of CGN patients, thus relieving the proteinuria.</p>

Study on function of VEGF pathway in promoting angiogenesis with Xuefu Zhuyu Tang / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the function of VEGF pathway in promoting angiogenesis with Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Serum pharmacology technique was adopted to treat endothelial cells ECV304 with XFZYD containing serum and blank serum with concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, boyden chamber migration assay and in vitro vessel formation assay were used to test endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis capacities. ELISA, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to detect secretion and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>XFZYT-CS with a concentration of 1.25% only affected angiogenesis capacity in vitro. XFZYT-CS with a concentration of 2. 5% promoted cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis capacities and significantly increased VEGF level and VEGF/VEGFR2 expressions. XFZYT-CS with a concentration of 5% only up-regulated intracellular VEGF expression and thereby improving endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFZYT can induce endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis by up-regulating VEGF-VEGFR2 pathway, which partially proves its angiogenesis effects.</p>

Experimental study of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction induced participation of endothelial progenitor cells in the angiogenesis of the ischemic region / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the angiogenesis and injury repair in the ischemic region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ischemic hind limb rat model was established using Bletilla embolization. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were labeled with DAPI and injected into the model rats from the vena caudalis. Then rats were treated with different doses of XFZYD by gastrogavage. Blood was withdrawn. The granulation tissue and the muscle tissues from ischemic and necrotic portion were taken on the 3rd and 7th day of the medication. The samples were frozen and sliced to analyze the fluorescent expressions. The necrosis of each sample was observed by routine pathological section. The vessels number was counted. The serum NO levels were detected using nitrate reductase method. The macro-morphological observation of ischemic lower limbs were lasted for 30 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 and 7 days of medication, the fluorescence intensity of ischemic area and the number of granulation vessels were significantly more in the high dose XFZYD group than in the routine treatment group and the normal saline treatment groups. The aforesaid indices were significantly higher in the routine treatment group than in the normal saline treatment group after 7 days of medication. The serum NO concentrations were significantly lower in the normal saline group at other time points. On the 30th day of medication, the muscular atrophy of the ischemic hind limbs was the least significant in the high dose XFZYD group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFZYD could improve the ischemic necrosis by improving the NO level, inducing the EPCs' migration to the ischemic region, and promoting the angiogenesis.</p>

A microarray analysis of angiogenesis modulation effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on endothelial cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the angiogenesis modulation mechanism of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction () on the endothelial cell line ECV304.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ECV304 cells were treated with 2.5% Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction-containing serum (XFZYD-CS) for 24 h, 48 h or 72 h. Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT), fluorescence activating cell sorter (FACS), migration, adhesion and in vitro tube formation assays were conducted to confirm an angiogenesis effect of XFZYD at 3 time points. An analysis of angiogenesis regulator profiles was performed at 3 times with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) superarray.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 48 h, XFZYD-CS induced ECV304 significantly improved cell viability, number in S phase, migration, adhesion and tube formation. At 24 h and 72 h, only cell migration was elevated. Microarray results showed that the expression of 27 angiogenesis-related genes was changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFZYD-CS treatment induced angiogenesis on ECV304 cells with significant cellcular changes occurring at 48 h and genetic changes as early as 24 h.</p>

Effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction in inducing angiogenesis gene regulation of endothelial cell line ECV304 / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the acting mechanism of endothelial cell line ECV304 in regulating angiogenesis induced by Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZY).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The angiogenesis effect of XFZY-contained serum (XFZY-CS) was confirmed by observing its impact on proliferation, cell cycle, migration of ECV304 and on vascular neogenesis in vitro. Then the effect of XFZY on various angiogenesis controlling factors was analyzed with gene chip microarray technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of XFZY-CS in 2.5% concentration for 48 h showed evident actions of enhancing ECV304 activity, increasing cell numbers of S phase, inducing cell migration and promoting the in vitro angiogenesis. Meanwhile, expressions of four angiogenesis controlling genes were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The angiogenesis mechanism of ECV304 induced by XFZY is complex, it shows a multi-pathway and multi-target feature.</p>

The effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on in vitro endothelial progenitor cell tube formation / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction ()-containing serum (XFZYD-CS) on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) tube formation in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mononuclear cells from rat bone marrow were prepared in a Ficoll density gradient centrifuge. EPCs were separated by the differential attachment method, and observed with inverted microscope for the effect of XFZYD-CS on EPC tube formation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After one day, EPCs exposed to the serum containing 5%, 10% and 15% XFZYD-CS formed typical tubes or vessel networks. The tube formation time was two days ahead of the control group and the size of most tubes in the serum groups was smaller than in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFZYD-CS could induce EPC angiogenesis and hasten tube formation, especially in capillary vessels. The study provides experimental evidence for the plausibility of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in the treatment of ischemic diseases.</p>

Effect of cyclosporine A on the pharmacokinetics of ginkgolide B in rats / 药学学报

The paper is aimed to investigate the effect of cyclosporine A (CyA) on the pharmacokinetics of ginkgolide B (GB) in rats, and to look for the mechanism of the changes in pharmacokinetic behaviors of GB. GB concentration in plasma, brain homogenate and urine samples of rats was determined by LC-MS. Effects of CyA on plasma levels, brain distributions as well as urinary excretions after intravenous administration of GB were evaluated. CyA co administrated intravenously at 10 mg kg(-1) or 20 mg kg(-1) significantly increased AUC(0-360 min) (P < 0.01) and decreased total CL of GB in rats. While co administrated CYP3A inhibitor itraconazole (ICZ) has no appreciable effect on the pharmacokinetic behavior of GB. CyA increased the brain uptake of GB in a dose-dependent manner. The brain distribution of GB was significantly increased at 5 min by different doses of CyA (P < 0.001), while at 20 and 60 min only high dose of CyA could significantly increase the levels of GB in the brain (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Different P-gp inhibitors CyA or verapamil (VER) or digoxin (DGX) decreased the urinary GB excretion, the urinary excretion of GB in 0-8 h were about 34.8% (P < 0.001), 59.4% (P < 0.001) and 79.7% (P < 0.05) of the control, separately. No appreciable effect of ICZ was observed on urinary excretion of GB. Coadministration of P-gp inhibitors CyA could significantly increase the plasma level, accelerate the brain distribution and decrease the urinary excretion of GB.

Experimental study on effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells of mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the number, phenotype, cell cycle and colony formation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the low- (3.25 g/kg), middle- (6.5 g/kg) and high-dose (13.0 g/kg) XFZYD groups. After they were medicated by gastrogavage respectively with saline or corresponding dose of XFZYD for 7 days, their bone marrow HSC were separated and counted. The phenotype Sca and cell cycle of HSC were detected by flow cytometer, and the colony formation was determined with semisolid methyl media culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No obvious difference in the number of mononuclear cell, suspended cell and colony production was found among all the groups (P > 0.05); while the expression of CD34 and Sca-1 increased in the low-dose XFZYD group, but in the middle-dose XFZYD group increase only showed in Sca-1 expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XFZYD plays a role of removing blood stasis and promoting regeneration through improving hematopoietic function by means of increasing the number and enhancing the function of premature HSC.</p>

Clinical study of super crush-run Tongxinluo capsule on treatment of stroke / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and security of super crush-run tong xinluo capsule (SCTXLC) for apoplexy due to energy-deficiency and blood-stasis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine, parallel contrast, different Kinds of Techniques and dosage, the clinical trial design was adopted, 144 patients with stroke of convalescent stage were selected by 2 group, which course of diseases was in 2 weekens to 3 months, neurological deficit scores was 8 to 30, grade of acaties of daily living scores was 2 to 5. the treatment group (n = 72) received SCTXLC 0.26 g (a capsule), 4 capsules at a time, three times a day, while that of the control group (n = 72) received common crush-run tong xinluo capsule (CCTXLC) 0.38 g (a capsule), 4 capsules at a time, three times a day, the therapeutic course for both groups was 28 d.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The synthesis total effective rates of the stroke in treatment group and control group were 91.3% and 87.3% respectively, showing no significant difference. The Lower Bound Upper Bound of Asymptotic 95% Confidence Interval of the total effective rates difference is -4.57%, over the beforehand Lower Bound of 15%, non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine was eligible. The adverse reactions occurred was 1 patient in the treatment group and 2 patients in control group in clinical trial.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SCTXLC has definite effect for apoplexy due to energy-deficiency and blood-stasis, the efficacy in the treated group was equal to that in the control group, and favourable satety for usage.</p>

Influence of thermochemotherapy on the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte in oral maxillofacial cancer patients / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of thermochemotherapy on the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in peripheral blood of patients with oral maxillofacial cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one subjects with oral maxillofacial cancer were treated by thermochemotherapy, and the activity of CTL in peripheral blood was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thermochemotherapy can obviously enhance the activity of CTL (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thermochemotherapy can enhance the activity of CTL, thus enhance the patient's immune function. Therefore, it can enhance the antitumor response in whole body.</p>

Angiogenesis promoting effects of Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation to remove stasis on chick embryo chorio-allantoic membrane / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the angiogenesis promoting effects of clinical common used Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) for activating blood circulation to remove stasis on chick embryo chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chicken CAM model was established and mice blood serum containing different kinds of medicines, including Radix Peaoniae rubra, Radix Angelicae sinensis, Flos Carthami, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Astragalus membranaceus, and their complex prescriptions, Danggui Buxue Decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, Xiongshao Capsule, was applied on it respectively to observe the condition of angiogenesis 72 hrs after incubation. Besides, the normal saline group, blank serum group, blank group and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) group were set up for control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the CHM applied and bFGF had the CAM angiogenetic promoting effect, among them, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae and the three complex prescriptions showed better effects than the three negative control groups in capillary formation and count, with the efficacy similar to that of bFGF. The effect of complex prescriptions was superior to that of single herb except Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, Danggui Buxue Decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction and Xiongshao Capsule have good angiogenesis promoting effect on CAM. This study elucidated, from a certain aspect, the mechanism of action of CHM on ischemic diseases, and unfolded the scientific evidence of applying complex prescription.</p>

[Effects of NBP on ATPase and anti-oxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation in transient focal cerebral ischemic rats].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was designed to explore the effect of (+/-) -3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on ATPase, anti-oxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation of mitochondria and cerebral cortex in rats subjected to 24 hours of reperfusion following 2 hours of cerebral ischemia (tMCAO). METHODS: Activities of SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione Peroxidase,) and CAT (Catalase), and MDA level of mitochondria or cortex were measured by using biochemical methods in tMCAO rats. RESULTS: (1) The activities of mitochondrial Na+K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase were found to decrease significantly in the vehicle group (ischemia + saline). Pre-treatment with NBP (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) 10 min before tMCAO markedly enhanced the activities of Na+K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase, compared with vehicle group. (2) The activities of SOD and mitochondrial GSH-Px were decreased and MDA level increased in vehicle groups as compared with that in sham group (non-ischemia + saline). NBP (20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced total mitochondrial SOD activity, and also enhanced cerebral cortex total SOD activity (in 5, 10, 20 mg/kg groups). However, it had no obvious effect on CuZn-SOD activity. NBP (20 mg/kg i.p.) markedly increased mitochondrial (but not in cerebral cortex) GSH-Px activity; NBP 10, 20 mg/kg markedly decreased mitochondrial MDA level compared with that in vehicle group (P < 0.05). (3) The action of raceme NBP on the increase of the activities of ATPase and antioxidative enzymes seemed to be beneficial than that of (-) -NBP or (+) NBP. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NBP improves energy pump and subsides oxidative injury which may contribute to its anti-neuronal apoptotic effect.