Observing the effects of Bushen Xingnao Jiedu Fang(BXJF) on regulating the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cultured hippocampal neurons after infection of herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) in vitro.Detecting the expression level of NGF mRNAs in normal cultured neurons

acute infection neurons

latent infection neurons

and BXJF-treated infected neurons with Northern blot.Results indicated:(1)Expressions of NGF and BDNF mRNAs were observed on hippocampal neurons and the expressions were increased after addition of the decoction of BXJF.(2)A transient increasing expression of NGF and BDNF mRNAs was also found from 6h to 12h after HSV-1 infection.But expression level of NGF mRNA and BDNF mRNA could not be detected at day 4 after HSV-1 infection.The time courses of NGF and BDNF expressing were extended for two days.(3)The increasing expressions of NGF mRNA and BDNF mRNA in neurons with HSV-1 latent infection were remained by addition of the decoction of BXJF

and these neurons survivd for at least ten weeks after deprivation of acyclovir.The results indicated the decoction of BSXNJDF was found to have the effects on increasing expressions of NGF mRNA and BDNF mRNA in normal cultured neurons and HSV infected neurons.