Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2018, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (8): 1408-1416.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.235296

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Gualou Guizhi decoction promotes neurological functional recovery and neurogenesis following focal erebral ischemia/reperfusion

Jing Han1, Ji-Zhou Zhang1, Zhi-Feng Zhong1, Zuan-Fang Li2, Wen-Sheng Pang2, 3, Juan Hu1, 2, Li-Dian Chen2   

  1. 1 Institute of Materia Medica, Fujian Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
    2 Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
    3 The Second People’s Hospital of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
  • Received:2018-02-15 Online:2018-08-15 Published:2018-08-15
  • Contact: Juan Hu, Ph.D. or Li-Dian Chen, Ph.D.,huj@fjtcm.edu.cn or lidianchen87@yahoo.com.
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by a grant from the Research Project of Fujian Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission of China, No. 2014-ZQN-JC-32; a grant from the Project of Fujian Province Office of Education of China, No. JZ160442; the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China, No. 2018J01855; a grant from the Platform for Preclinical Studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Quality Control Engineering Technology Research Center of Fujian Province of China, No. 2009Y2003.

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Abstract:

Recovery following stroke involves neurogenesis and axonal remodeling within the ischemic brain. Gualou Guizhi decoction (GLGZD) is a Chinese traditional medicine used for the treatment of post-stroke limb spasm. GLGZD has been reported to have neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic injury. However, the effects of GLGZD on neurogenesis and axonal remodeling following cerebral ischemia remain unknown. In this study, a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurological function was assessed immediately after reperfusion using Longa’s 5-point scoring system. The rats were randomly divided into vehicle and GLGZD groups. Rats in the sham group were given sham operation. The rats in the GLGZD group were intragastrically administered GLGZD, once daily, for 14 consecutive days. The rats in the vehicle and sham groups were intragastrically administered distilled water. Modified neurological severity score test, balance beam test and foot fault test were used to assess motor functional changes. Nissl staining was performed to evaluate histopathological changes in the brain. Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine cell proliferation using the marker 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) as well as expression of the neural precursor marker doublecortin (DCX), the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the axon regeneration marker growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43). GLGZD substantially mitigated pathological injury, increased the number of BrdU, DCX and GFAP-immunoreactive cells in the subventricular zone of the ischemic hemisphere, increased GAP-43 expression in the cortical peri-infarct region, and improved motor function. These findings suggest that GLGZD promotes neurological functional recovery by increasing cell proliferation, enhancing axonal regeneration, and increasing the numbers of neuronal precursors and astrocytes in the peri-infarct area.

Key words: nerve regeneration, Gualou Guizhi decoction, cell proliferation, neurogenesis, neuroblast, astrocyte, axon remodeling, ischemic stroke, Chinese medicine compound, neural regeneration