Objective To study the protective effects of Shenmai Injection(SI) and its components,
ginsenoside Rb_1 and Rg_1,on the damage
of neurons,vascular endothelial cells(VEC) and astrocytes induced by the hypoxia/
hypoglycemia and reoxygenation,reveal its mechanism of brain protective effect and to determine its main effective components. Methods To culture neurons,VEC and astrocytes and glycoprival Earle's fluid with sodium dithionate was used to establish the model of the damage induced by the hypoxia/hypoglycemia in vitro. The SI effect was evalusted by the methods of trypan blue stain,MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) leakage rate.Results SI and
ginsenoside Rb_1 and Rg_1 have no obvious toxic effect on normal cultured three kinds of cells.Compared with the model group with the damage induced by the hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation,the mortality rate and LDH leakage rate were decreased significantly(P<0.001),and the cell survival rate was increased significantly(P<0.001,P<0.05)in the groups of SI,ginsenoside Rb_1 and Rg_1. Conclusion The mechanism of brain protective effect of SI might be related to its protection against the damage of neurons,VEC and astrocytes induced by the hypoxia/hypoglycemia and reoxygenation. Ginsenoside Rb_1 and Rg_1 might be main effective components of SI.The result indicates that Shenmai Injection can be applied to the treatment of acute stroke in clinic.