Objective: To investigate the effect of Jianpi Yifei prescription on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) protein and inflammatory factors expression in hSOD1-G93A transgenic mice. Method: Twenty-four SPF class 8 weeks old hSOD1-G93A transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group

low concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription group (2.86 g·kg-1)

medium concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription group (5.72 g·kg-1)

and high concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription group (11.44 g·kg-1)

n=6 in each group. 6 normal SPF class wild mice of 8 weeks old were selected as normal group. The mice in model group and normal group were given with normal saline

while different concentrations of Jianpi Yifei prescription was given in the treatment groups once a day

for continuously 120 days. The activation of spinal cord microglia

p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK protein fluorescence intensity karyoplasmic ratio were detected by immunofluorescence (IF)

and Western blot (WB) was used to detect the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK

p-p38 MAPK

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Result: As compared with normal group

the activation number of microglia was increased significantly in model group and the low concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription group (P<0.05

P<0.01); the fluorescence intensity karyoplasmic ratio of p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK was increased significantly(P<0.01). As compared with model group

the number of microglia activation and the proportion of the total number was significantly reduced in the medium and high concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription groups (P<0.01); and the fluorescence intensity karyoplasmic ratio of p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK was significantly reduced (P<0.01). As compared with normal group

the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK

p-p38 MAPK

COX-2

and TNF-α were significantly increased in model group and the low concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription group (P<0.05

P<0.01). As compared with model group

the protein expression levels of p38 MAPK

p-p38 MAPK

COX-2

and TNF-α were significantly reduced in the high

medium concentration Jianpi Yifei prescription groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: Jianpi Yifei prescription may inhibit p38 MAPK protein phosphorylation by mediating p38 MAPK pathway

and plays a neuroprotective role through inhibiting the activation of microglia in a concentration-dependent manner and down-regulating the expression of p38 MAPK protein and inflammatory factors.