Effect of cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin injection on brain protection in rats with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin injection on the rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Three hundred and six SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, TBI group, high dose group, middle dose group and low dose group according to the random number table. Rats received 1.8, 0.6 and 0.2 ml/kg of cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin injection for 28 days in high, middle and low dose groups, respectively. TBI was induced by the modified Feeney's weight-drop method. Rat mortality, neurological function score and learning and memory ability were recorded. Brain morphological changes were evaluated with 7.0 T small animal nuclear magnetic resonance and HE staining. Evans blue was applied to assess blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability and hydrocephalus was evaluated by the brain water content. Results Mortality in high dose group decreased significantly compared to that in TBI group (22.40% vs. 28.14%, P<0.05). Defects in neurological function and learning and memory induced by TBI were significantly mitigated in middle and high dose groups (P<0.05). Pathological damage and contralateral hippocampal atrophy in middle and high dose groups were reduced significantly compared to TBI group (P<0.05). Hippocampus neuroapoptosis in middle and high dose groups was significantly improved compared to TBI group (P<0.05). BBB damage was less severe in middle and high dose groups than in TBI group (P<0.05). The treatment was preventive against secondary hydrocephalus. Conclusion Middle or high dose cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin injection over a 28-day period has significant neuroprotective effect on the TBI rats. Key words: Neuroprotective agents; Brain injuries; Cattle Encephalon Glycoside and Ignotin