Shexiang Baoxin Pill, a Proprietary Multi-Constituent Chinese Medicine, Prevents Locomotor and Cognitive Impairment Caused by Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Rats: A Potential Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of Stroke

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a common type of cerebrovascular event and also the leading cause of disability. Post-stroke cognitive impairment occurs frequently in stroke survivors. Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) is a proprietary Chinese medicine, initially used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we aim to explore the effects of SBP on oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) in neuronal cells (CATH.a) and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury induced post-stroke cognitive impairment in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. MCAO rats received two doses of oral SBP treatment (28 or 56 mg/kg) after 1 h of operation and once daily for 2 weeks continuously. Behavioral tests, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence were examined after 14 days. Current data suggest that SBP enhanced cell viability and downregulated apoptosis via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in CATH. a cells. Furthermore, 14 days of SBP treatment promoted the recovery of learning and locomotor function in the MCAO rats. SBP up-regulated the expression of p-Akt, p-GSK3β, as well as the expression of NMDAR1, PSD-95, and AMPAR. Also, SBP down-regulated the expression of p-CaMKII. These results indicated that long-term SBP treatment might be a potential option for cognitive impairment induced by the ischemic stroke.

Shexiang Baoxin Pills Could Alleviate Isoproterenol-Induced Heart Failure Probably through its Inhibition of CaV1.2 Calcium Channel Currents

“…Shexiang baoxin pills (SXB), originated from the Suhexiang pill, were recorded in the world's frst prescription pharmacopoeia-Taiping Huimin Heji prescription of the Song dynasty, nearly 1000 years ago. Since then, SXB has been extensively treating various diseases; including heart disease [4], brain ischemic disease [5], renal injury [6], and atherosclerosis [7]. Furthermore, SXB has been mostly used in cardiovascular diseases, including HF and angina pectoris [8][9][10].…”