[Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and neutrophil infiltration in cerebral infarction tissue of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (Pns) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and brain neutrophil infiltration induced by transient focal cerberal ischemia and reperfusion in rats. METHODS: Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model in rats (male) were made by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 2 h followed by 24 h reperfusion. Pns 25 and 50 mg/kg were administered ip at 2 h after reperfusion. At 24 h after reperfusion, neutrophil infiltration and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured with myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: After ischemia reperfusion, the expression of ICAM-1 and MPO activity in the ischemic hemisphere cortex of MCA area and caudate putamen were markedly increased. Treatment with 50 mg/kg Pns inhibited neutrophil infiltration and the expression of ICAM-1. CONCLUSION: Pns inhibited neutrophil infiltration and the expression of ICAM-1 following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats, attenuated the ischemic brain inflammation.

[Calcium antagonistic effect of Xanthotoxol on isolated guinea pig atria].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of depressant effect of xanthotoxol (XT) on contractility in the isolated guinea pig atria. METHODS: The contractile force of the isolated left atria was determined by tension recording method. RESULTS: In the experiments on contractility of the left atria XT and Verapamil (Ver) significantly depressed the positive staircase phenomena, which was reversed by Ver but not by XT. However, the post-rest potentiation of myocardial contraction in the left atria was only markedly decreased by XT but not by Ver. Furthermore, XT not only attenuated the positive inotropic action, but also delayed the following toxicity response induced by ouabain in the isolated left atria. CONCLUSION: XT blocked not only the voltage dependent calcium channel, but also the receptor operated calcium channel in the isolated guinea pig atria.

[Study on therapeutic window of opportunity for Panax notoginseng saponins following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic window of opportunity for Panax notoginseng saponins (Pns) following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Focal cerebral ischemia (2 h)/reperfusion (24 h) model in male rats was induced by transient occlusion and middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 2 h and reperfusion for 24 h. Drugs were administered at 3 h, 4 h, 5 h and 6 h after the onset of ischemia respectively and neurological deficit score, infarct size and brain edema were examined. RESULTS: The administration of Pns at 3-4 h after onset of ischemia significantly reduced neurological deficit score, infarct size and brain edema. When administrating Pns at 5 h after onset of ischemia, the neuroprotection decreased. When administrating Pns at 6 h after onset of ischemia, there are not significant protective effects. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic window of opportunity for Pns following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats is not more than 5 h after the onset of ischemia.