African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2288

Full Length Research Paper

The traditional Chinese medicine Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang inhibits hypoxia-induced neuronal apoptosis

Qichun Zhang, Zhilei Qian, Linmei Pan, Huan Li and Huaxu Zhu*
College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, PR China.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Published: 22 December 2011

Abstract

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) has been used clinically for cerebral ischemia therapeutics. Here, we aimed to demonstrate whether and how HLJDT regulates neuronal apoptosis under hypoxia/ischemia. Apoptosis analysis was performed in vitro in PC12 cells with flow cytometry and in vivo in MCAO rats using TUNEL staining. The levels of caspase 9, caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bax and HIF-1α were demonstrated with western blotting. HLJDT remarkably inhibited apoptosis of neurons, both in vitro and in vivo. Caspase 9, caspase 3m Bcl-2, Bax and HIF-1α play important roles in anti-apoptotic effect of HLJDT on neuronal apoptosis hypoxia and ischemia induced.

 

Key words: Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang, apoptosis, HIF-1, ischemia.