Abstract: To explore the effect of Naoshenkang Capsule, a traditional Chinese drug with the function of invigorating Qi and tonifying kidneys on neuronal apoptosis and expression of Bcl2, Bax mRNA in cultured rat hippocampal neurons with anoxiareoxygenation injury. MethodsPrimarily cultured neonate rat hippocampal neurons were randomly divided into five groups: the control group, the anoxiareoxygenation group and the small, middle, and large dosage of Chinese Medicineprotective groups. The Chinese Medicineprotective groups were treated with different concentrations of Naoshenkang containing serum before reoxygenation. The survival rate and apoptosis rate of neurons were determined by MTT and flow cytometry. RTPCR was used to evaluate mRNA expressions of Bcl2 and Bax genes. ResultsSurvival rate of cells, Bcl2 mRNA expression and Bcl2/Bax in the anoxiareoxygenation group were significantly lower (all P＜0.01), but apoptosis rate and Bax mRNA expression were higher (all P＜0.01) than those in the control group. Survival rate of cells, Bcl2 mRNA expression and Bcl2/Bax in all Chinese Medicineprotective groups were obviously higher (all P＜0.01), but apoptosis rate and Bax mRNA expression were lower (P＜0.01, P＜0.05) than those in the anoxiareoxygenation group and demonstrated obvious dosageeffective relationship. ConclusionNaoshenkang Capsule has a protective effect on hippocampal neurons against anoxiareoxygenation injury, and its mechanism may be that the Chinese medicine can regulate protein expressions of Bcl2 and Bax and inhibits apoptosis.

Key words: Hippocampus, Neurons, Reperfusion injury, Apoptosis, Genes,bcl2, Naoshenkang Capsule, Rats,Wistar