Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of morroniside on the expression of Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Tie-2 in a rat after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=4), ischemia group (n=4), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=4). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 min, and re-perfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg after operation. The expression of Ang-1 and Tie-2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex were detected with Western blotting analysis 7 days after operation. Results The expression of Ang-1 and Tie-2 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.01), and both of them further increased in the morroniside groups of high dosage compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01), and the expression of Tie-2 also increased in the morroniside groups of medium dosage (P<0.001). Conclusion Morroniside could increase the expression of Ang-1 and Tie-2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex after ischemia-reperfusion in rats, suggesting promoting the angiogenesis after ischemia.

Key words: morroniside, ischemia-reperfusion, Angiopoietin-1, Tie-2, angiogenesis, rats