The effect of ligustrazine on neurogenesis in cortex after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective: To explore the effect of Ligustrazine on neurogenesis in cortex after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods: Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion with a suture. Two hours later, injection of Ligustrazine (80 mg/kg, 1 time/d) was performed peritoneally. Four hours after the ischemia, 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) (50 mg/kg, 1 time/d) was injected peritoneally. At 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after ischemia, BrdU positive cells in the cortex were observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In ischemic model group, at 7 day, sparsely-distributed BrdU positive cells were observed in the II-VI layers of the ipsilateral cortex, with a band-like distribution in ischemic penumbra. With the prolongation of ischemia, the number of BrdU positive cells increased. In Ligustrazine group, BrdU positive cells were also observed in the II-VI layers of the cortex, with an intense distribution in ischemic penumbra. The numbers of BrdU positive cells at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d were more than those in ischemic model group respectively. Conclusion: Ligustrazine increases the proliferated cells in cortex after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The results suggest that it may be useful for promoting self-repair after ischemia.