Open AccessXuefu Zhuyu decoction improves neurological dysfunction by increasing synapsin expression after traumatic brain injury
Author(s) -
Lin Zhu,
Tao Tang,
Rong Fan,
Jie-Kun Luo,
Hanjin Cui,
Chunhu Zhang,
Weijun Peng,
Ping Sun,
Xiang Xiong,
Yang Wang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
neural regeneration research/neural regeneration research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.93
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1876-7958
pISSN - 1673-5374
DOI - 10.4103/1673-5374.235297
Subject(s) - decoction , medicine , traumatic brain injury , synapsin i , synaptophysin , morris water navigation task , western blot , pharmacology , immunohistochemistry , anesthesia , pathology , hippocampus , synaptic vesicle , biology , psychiatry , biochemistry , vesicle , membrane , gene
Xuefu Zhuyu decoction has been used for treating traumatic brain injury and improving post-traumatic dysfunction, but its mechanism of action needs further investigation. This study established rat models of traumatic brain injury by controlled cortical impact. Rat models were intragastrically administered 9 and 18 g/kg Xuefu Zhuyu decoction once a day for 14 or 21 days. Changes in neurological function were assessed by modified neurological severity scores and the Morris water maze. Immunohistochemistry, western blot assay, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze synapsin protein and mRNA expression at the injury site of rats. Our results showed that Xuefu Zhuyu decoction visibly improved neurological function of rats with traumatic brain injury. These changes were accompanied by increased expression of synaptophysin, synapsin I, and postsynaptic density protein-95 protein and mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that Xuefu Zhuyu decoction increases synapsin expression and improves neurological deficits after traumatic brain injury.