Cognitive impairment is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little attention has been focused on therapeutic intervention for this complication. Chronic intermittent hypoxia hypercapnia (CIHH) exposure is considered to be responsible for the pathogenesis of COPD. Dl-3n-Butylphthalide (NBP), extracted from Apium graveolens Linn, has displayed a broad spectrum of neuroprotective properties. Our study aimed to investigate the potential of NBP on CIHH-induced cognitive deficits. The cognitive function of rats after CIHH exposure was evaluated by the Morris water maze, which showed that the NBP treated group performed better in the navigation test. NBP activated BDNF and phosphorylated CREB, the both are responsible for neuroprotection. Additionally, NBP decreased CIHH induced apoptosis. Moreover, NBP further induced the expression of HIF-1α, accompanied by the up-regulation of the autophagy proteins Bnip3, Beclin-1 and LC3-II. Finally, NBP also reversed the decreased expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α, but the expression of Tfam, Cox II and mtDNA remained unchanged. These results suggested that the neuroprotective effects of NBP under CIHH condition possibly occurred through the inhibition of apoptosis, promotion of hypoxia-induced autophagy, and activation of the SIRT1/PGC-1α signalling pathway, while stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis may not be a characteristic response.

We observed the level of lowering blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of SHR by total falconoid from Jumi. We used SHR models, intervene them by total falconoid from Jumi, and rats were divided into SHR control groups, nifedipine control group, total falconoid high dose groups, total falconoid medium dose groups and total falconoid low dose groups. We observed the level of Bp and HR by non-invasive blood pressure. Total falconoid from Jumi significantly reduced the levels of Bp and HR when after 3 h treating by single dose test. Total falconoid from Jumi reduced the levels of them and lasted four hours and it took slower effect than nifedipine in successive administration. Effect of lowering Bp and HR among three dose groups of total falconoid wasn't significant difference. Total flavonoids from Jumi could reduce Bp and HR of SHR, and it had a better long-term effect for mild-to-moderate hypertension.