AIM:To investigate the effect of buyang huanwu tang on the
expression of Caspase 3 mRNA in the penumbra of rats after cerebral
ischemia injury. METHODS:Adult male SD rats were divided randomly into normal control group, model control group,high dosage group,and low dosage group.Focal
cerebral ischemia model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with a nylon surgical thread inserted through the internal carotid artery in SD rats.The
expression of Caspase 3 mRNA in ischemic penumbral was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT PCR). RESULTS:The expressions of Caspase 3/β actin in normal control group, model control group,high dosage group and low dosage group were 0.53±0.05,0.59±0.16, 0.54±0.20, and 0.55±0.12,respectively.The expression of Caspase 3 mRNA in penumbra after ischemia was significantly higher than that of normal control group,and the difference was significant by statistical analysis(F=12.282,P< 0.05).Buyang huanwu tang could decrease the expressions of Caspase 3 mRNA(F=12.588,12.02,P< 0.05),but there was no statistical difference between high dosage group and low dosage group(F=13.176,P >0.05). CONCLUSION:Buyang huanwu tang can inhibit the expression of Caspase 3 mRNA in penumbra after focal cerebral ischemia and the apoptosis and therefore protect the brain tissue after ischemia.