The effect of Rhizoma Panacis Japonici ethanol extracts on protein caspase 3 and Drp-1 in MCAO rats

Objective: The effect of Rhizoma Panacis Japonici ethanol extracts on protein caspase 3 and Drp-1 in MCAO rats. Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the sham operation group (s group), ischemia and reperfusion group (I/R group), Rhizoma Panacis Japonici Ethanol extracts low dose group (10 mg/kg/d, RPJEL) and Rhizoma Panacis Japonici Ethanol extracts high dose group (30 mg/kg/d, RPJEH) with 15 rats in each group. After intragastric administration of 1 W, the middle cerebral artery occlusion method preparation of focal cerebral ischemia model, ischemia 2 hrs and reperfusion for 24 hrs, postoperative 24 hrs monitoring the brain ischemic area middle cerebral artery blood flow changes, the Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride (TTC) method to measure the volume of cerebral infarction was used to detect the apoptosis of brain cells level, immunohistochemistry and Western blot Drp-1, Caspase 3 protein expression. Results: Compared with I/R group, both of RPJEL and RPJEH groups could significantly decrease the Drp-1 and Caspase 3 protein level, and also minimize the infarct volume. Two hours after the infarct model established, the blood flow of I/R group were changed to 30.26% ± 1.58%, and the blood flow of the RPJEL and RPJEH groups were decreased to 52.1% ± 2.94%57.3% ± 4.21%. Conclusions: RPJE could effectively inhibit the nerve cell apoptosis and mitochondria. The action mechanism may be related to the decreased levels of Drp-1 and Caspase 3.