Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Tongluo Huatan(TLHT) capsule on neuron apoptosis in cerebral ischemic injury. Method: Cerebral ischemia was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). After operation

the rats were stratified randomly divided into seven groups according to their Longa scores as normal group

sham group

model group

nimodipine group

high dose TLHT capsule group

medium dose TLHT capsule group and low dose TLHT capsule group

respectively given distilled water

nimodipine and Tongluo Huatan capsule. The neuroprotecive effect was detected by Narrow-Alley Corner Test at the 1

2

3

5

7 days after the operation respectively. The HE staining was applied to observe the pathologic change of ischemic cerebral cortex. The TUNEL technology was used to test the level of neuron apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra

and the immunohistochemistry method was applied to detect the expression of Bcl-2 associated x protein(Bax) and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2) in the ischemic penumbra. Result: The scores of Narrow-Alley Corner Test of model group were significantly increased compared with normal group and sham group

while those of nimodipine group and TLHT capsule groups were reduced compared with model group. Neuron apoptosis of ischemic penumbra of model group was increased compared with normal group and sham group. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in ischemic penumbra of model group was increased compared with normal group and sham group. The level of neuron apoptosis and the expression of Bax in ischemic penumbra of nimodipine group and TLHT capsule groups were decreased

while the expression of Bcl-2 was increased compared with model group. Conclusion: TLHT capsule can promote the recovery of neurological dysfunction of brain damage after ischemic injury in rats

alleviate the pathological damage of neurons

which may be related to its functions of promoting expression of Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting of the expression of Bax in ischemic penumbra

thereby reducing the level of apoptosis.