Effect of buyanghuanwu decoction on angiogenesis and Ang-1/Tie-2 expression after focal cerebral ischemia in mice

Objective To investigate the effect of Buyanghuanwu decoction(BYHWD) on angiogenesis and Ang-1/Tie-2 expression after focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. BYHWD (20 g/kg) was administered orally 24 h after ischemia and once a day. The neurological score and the corner test were used to evaluate sensorimotor function during 28 days after ischemia. The microvessels density and the expression of Ang-1/Tie-2 in the ischemic boundary zone were determined by immunohistochemistry on 28 days after ischemia. Results Compared with the model group, BYHWD significantly ameliorated neurological dysfunction and reduced the number of right turn during 3 to 28 days after ischemia(P＜0.05 ). In addition,the numbers of CD31 ,Ang-1 and Tie-2 immunopositive cells were (437 ±59) ,(389 ±61 ) and (251 ±42) at the boundary zone in model group 28 days after ischemia,respectively. However, BYHWD treatment significantly increased the numbers of CD31(609 ± 68 ), Ang-1 (551 ±66) and Tie-2 (342 ±46) immunopositive cells(P＜0. 01 ). Conclusion BYHWD promotes angiogenesis,which may contribute to recovery of neurological function after focal cerebral ischemia,and Ang-1/Tie-2 pathway appears to mediate BYHWD-induced angiogenesis. Key words: Focal cerebral ischemia;  Angiogenesis;  Angiopoietin-1;  Tie-2;  Buyanghuanwu decoction