Qingkailing injection attenuates apoptosis and neurologic deficits in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Traditional Chinese herb Angong Niuhuang Pill (AGNHP) is a famous preparation for neurological diseases; Qingkailing injection (QKL), an extract of AGNHP has similar clinical applications. This investigation was designed to further elucidate the neuroprotective effect of QKL on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICH was produced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of collagenase IV. Three incremental doses of QKL injection including low-(0.5 ml/kg), moderate-(1 ml/kg) and high-dosage (2 ml/kg) were administered twice, 3 and 12h following ICH. TUNEL and caspase-3 activity were measured at 1d after ICH, and apomorphine-induced rotation was evaluated at 1d, 7d, 14 d and 28 d.
RESULTS: Administration of high-dose QKL inhibited TUNEL positive cells (p<0.05) and caspase-3 activity (p<0.05) at 1d following ICH, and reduced apomorphine-induced rotation at 1d (p<0.01), 7d, 14 d and 28 d (p<0.05), compared with the controls. However, QKL in a low or moderate dose had no such effect.
CONCLUSION: QKL reduced brain damage of intracerebral hemorrhage through inhibiting apoptosis, which suggested a potential intervention for ICH patients.