Effects of Ligustrazine on Ischemic Stroke by Photochemical Occlusion of Middle Cerebral Artery in Rat

Abstract

Background and Aim: Stroke is a life-threatening disease leading to long-term disability in stroke survivors. In most acute ischemic strokes, the underlying cause is a thrombotic or embolic vascular occlusion. Therefore, one strategy for treating stroke is to restore blood flow within the ischemic area with a thrombolytic agent. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Ligustrazine on ischemic stroke induced by photochemical reaction in rat. Methods: Ischemic stroke model in rats was induced by the thrombotic occlusion of MCA based on the photochemical reaction between rose Bengal and green light, which causes endothelial injury followed by platelet activation and thrombus formation at the site of the photochemical reaction.  Ligustrazine were injected i.v. 15 min (10 ml/kg) before rose Bengal injection and 2 hr (10 ml/kg) after injection of the dye. Neurological deficit, occlusive time, platelet aggregation, thromboxane B₂ and bleeding time were measured by conventional methods. Results: Ligustrazine decreased the neurological deficit about 24h after injection of rose Bengal, prolonged the occlusive time in middle cerebral artery and inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation at 4hr after injection of dye. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Ligustrazine used in the present study has potential effect on ischemic stroke induced by photochemical reaction.