Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Bushen Huoxue formula on hippocampal cells apoptosis in rats with vascular dementia (VD). Method: Totally 75 male SD rats were screened in Morris Water-maze screening

and then randomly divided into the sham-operated group

model group

Nimodipine group

Bushen Huoxue formula high and low dose (10.14

5.07 g·kg-1·d-1) groups. Except the rats in the sham-operated group

all the other four groups received two-vessel occlusion (2-VO) method to establish VD models. The rats in the low-dose and high-dose Bushen Huoxue formula groups and the Nimodipine group received drugs Bushen Huoxue formula tablets and Nimodipine tablets respectively for 30 days. After treatment

all rats were tested by Morris Water-maze; brain hippocampal cells apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method and the expression levels of rat hippocampal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Result: As compared with sham-operated group

the time of escape latency was significantly increased (P<0.05); the number of passing platform and the stayed time in the former platform quadrant were both decreased (P<0.01); the integral absorbance (IA) of hippocampal cells apoptosis was significantly increased

and the average grey value was decreased significantly (P<0.01); IA of hippocampal ERK2 and CREB (immunohistochemical) expression was significantly decreased

and the average grey value was significantly increased (P<0.01); and the protein expression level (Western blot) was significantly decreased in model group (P<0.01). As compared with the model group

Bushen Huoxue formula improved the learning and memory ability of rats

decreased the apoptosis IA (P<0.01)

increased the average grey value (P<0.01)

and increased the IA and protein expression of ERK2 and CREB in hippocampal tissues(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Bushen Huoxue formula may inhibit apoptosis of hippocampal cells and improve the learning and memory ability of VD rats through regulating ERK/CREB signaling pathways in hippocampal tissues of rat.