Abstract
Background Achyranthes bidentata Blume (A. bidentata) is a commonly prescribed Chinese medicinal herb. A. bidentata polypeptides (ABPP) is an active composite constituent, separated from the aqueous extract of A. bidentata. Our previous studies have found that ABPP have the neuroprotective function in vitro and in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in attenuating the brain infract area induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion. However, the ultimate goal of the stroke treatment is the restoration of behavioral function. Identifying behavioral deficits and therapeutic treatments in animal models of ischemic stroke is essential for potential translational applications.Methodology and Principal FindingsThe effect of ABPP on motor, sensory, and cognitive function in an ischemic stroke model with MCAO was investigated up to day 30. The function recovery monitored by the neurological deficit score, grip test, body asymmetry, beam-balancing task, and the Morris Water Maze. In this study, systemic administration of ABPP by i.v after MCAO decreased the neurological deficit score, ameliorated the forepaw muscle strength, and diminished the motor and sensory asymmetry on 7th and 30th day after MCAO. MCAO has been observed to cause prolonged disturbance of spatial learning and memory in rats using the MWM, and ABPP treatment could improve the spatial learning and memory function, which is impaired by MCAO in rats, on 30th day after MCAO. Then, the viable cells in CA1 region of hippocampus were counted by Nissl staining, and the neuronal cell death were significantly suppressed in the ABPP treated group.ConclusionABPP could improve the recovery of sensory, motor and coordination, and cognitive function in MCAO-induced ischemic rats. And this recovery had a good correlation to the less of neuronal injury in brain.
Highlights
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes for severe chronic morbidity or mortality in humans
A. bidentata polypeptides (ABPP) could improve the recovery of sensory, motor and coordination, and cognitive function in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced ischemic rats
Ischemic stroke leads to interruption of brain blood supply and failure of energy-delivering processes, which result in disturbance of essential ionic gradients, excessive neuronal depolarization, and large amounts of excitatory amino acids, mainly glutamate, releases into the extracellular space [3]
Summary
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes for severe chronic morbidity or mortality in humans. Ischemic stroke leads to interruption of brain blood supply and failure of energy-delivering processes, which result in disturbance of essential ionic gradients, excessive neuronal depolarization, and large amounts of excitatory amino acids, mainly glutamate, releases into the extracellular space [3]. High extracellular glutamate concentration in the CNS is a primary step leading to neuronal injury, referred to as excitotoxicity [4]. A. bidentata polypeptides (ABPP) is an active composite constituent, separated from the aqueous extract of A. bidentata. Our previous studies have found that ABPP have the neuroprotective function in vitro and in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in attenuating the brain infract area induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion. The ultimate goal of the stroke treatment is the restoration of behavioral function. Identifying behavioral deficits and therapeutic treatments in animal models of ischemic stroke is essential for potential translational applications
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