Huangqi-Honghua combination and its main components ameliorate cerebral infarction with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by antioxidant action in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Combination of Radix Astragali (Huangqi) and Carthamus tinctorius L (Honghua) has been extensively used as traditional herb medicine in China for the treatment of stroke and myocardial ischemia diseases with Qi deficiency and blood stasis (QDBS) syndrome. Aim: To investigate the effect of Huangqi Honghua combination (HH) and its main components astragaloside IV (AS-IV) and Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) with QDBS in rat model. Materials and methods: Male rats were randomly divided into the following six groups: sham group, QDBS+I/R model group and treatment group including AS-IV, HSYA, AS-IV+HSYA and HH. The whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), neurological examination, infarct volume, histopathology changes and some oxidative stress markers were assessed after 24 h of reperfusion. Results: HH and its main components AS-IV+HSYA could significantly decrease WBV, PV, and also significantly ameliorate neurological examination and infarct volume after 24 h of reperfusion. They also significantly increased expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activities of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), led to decrease levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conclusion: AS-IV and HSYA are responsible for the main curative effects of HH. The study may provide scientific information to further understanding the mechanism(s) of HH and its main components in removing blood stasis and ameliorating cerebral infarction. Additionally, AS-IV and HSYA appear to have synergistic effects on neuroprotection. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.