Objective: To observe the effect of Naokang capsule on vascular dementia and hippocampal apoptosis genes in rats. Method: Vascular dementia models were established by permanent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion in healthy male sprague-dawley rats

then were randomly divided into sham-operation group

model group

Naokang capsule group and ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) group. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats after 4 weeks of intragastric administration. Expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in hippocampal tissues of rats were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax as well as Bcl-2/Bax ratio in hippocampus were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Result: Compared with sham-operation group

the escape latency of model group was significantly prolonged;frequency of crossing platform and swimming distance were obviously shortened

SOD activity was decreased significantly and MDA activity was increased significantly

mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax were significantly increased and the levels of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased

resulting in a decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio in hippocampus. Compared with the model group

the escape latency of the rats in Naokang group was significantly shortened

frequency of the crossing platform and swimming distance were obviously increased

SOD activity was increased significantly and MDA activity was decreased significantly

mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax were significantly decreased and the levels of Bcl-2 were significantly increased

resulting in an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Conclusion: Naokang capsule could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of vascular dementia rats and the mechanism may be related to antioxidant stress and inhibiting hippocampal apoptosis genes expression.