Abstract:

Objective    To investigate protective effects of safflor yellow against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods     Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to prepare focal cerebral ischemia. Rectal temperature, ECG, femoral arterial pressure and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) in each rat were detected before MCAO, 0.5h after occlusion and 2h after reperfusion. Then effects of safflor yellow were studied by determining neurological deficit, water content of brain tissues, cerebral infarcted zone and pathological changes under a microscope. Results    Safflor yellow could increase rCBF and reduce mean blood pressure(MBP), heart rate(HR), percentage of the infarction area and water content in the cerebral hemisphere, and it could relieve ischemia-induced pathological changes. Conclusion     Safflor yellow can increase rCBF and reduce damage to the autonomic nervous system. It has a protective effect against focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Key words:  Safflower yellow pigment; Reperfusion injury; Regional blood flow; Mean arterial pressure; Heart rate