Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of Shuxuening injection on cerebral edema and changes of neurological function induced by focal cerebral ischemia.Methods90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group, Shuxuening 1st group, Shuxuening 2nd group and Shuxuening 3rd group with 18 animals in each group. The model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Shuxuening of different doses was infused into muscle respectively in the different group (1 mg/kg in Shuxuening 1st group, 3 mg/kg in Shuxuening 2nd group, 10 mg/kg in Shuxuening 3rd group; the model group infused with saline). The changes of the neurological function, water content of brain tissue and volume of cerebral infarction were determined 24 hours after cerebral ischemia. The activity of lactate (LA), malondialdegyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the brain tissue were measured.ResultsAfter MCAO, the disturbance of neurological function and severe cerebral edema were found in model rats. The water content of brain tissue and volume of cerebral infarction decreased, neurological function improved, the activity of SOD significantly increased, and the contents of LA and MDA significantly decrease after Shuxuening injection with a dose-dependent change.ConclusionThe Shuxuening injection (≥3 ml/kg) presents a protective effect on brain tissue with focal cerebral ischemia.

Key words: Shuxuening, focal cerebral ischemia, water content of brain tissue, volume of cerebral infarction, neurological function, antioxidant