Abstract Oridonin was extracted and purified from Rabdosia rubescens and its protective effect on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced brain injury in rats was investigated. The rats were divided into sham, model, low-dose oridonin, middle-dose oridonin and high-dose oridonin groups. The ICH-induced brain injury model was established in latter four groups. After modeling, the low-, middle- and high-dose oridonin groups were treated with 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg oridonin at 2h and 24 h after modeling, respectively. Results showed that, after 48 after modeling, compared with model group, in middle- and high-dose oridonin groups the modified Neurological Severity Score was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the brain water content was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the brain tissue tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the brain tissue erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, oridonin from Rabdosia rubescens can mitigate the ICH-induced brain injury in rats. The mechanism may be related to its reduction of inflammatory response and oxidative stress by inhibiting NF-κB inflammatory pathway and promoting Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway in brain tissues.

Abstract Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is one of the main diseases leading to death and disability. Studying the role and mechanism of drugs in mitigating CIRI is of great significance. In the present study, the effect of formononetin from Trifolium pratense L. on oxidative stress, energy metabolism impairment and inflammatory response after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in mice were investigated. Formononetin was extracted from Trifolium pratense L. and was purified. The mice were treated with formononetin for six days. Then, the CIRI model was established. After 24 h of reperfusion, compared with model group, in formononetin group, the neurological deficit score, cerebral water content and cerebral infarction rate were significantly decreased, the brain tissue nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels were significantly decreased, the brain tissue superoxide dismutase level was significantly increased, the brain tissue Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities were significantly increased, and the brain tissue tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6 levels were significantly decreased. In conclusion, formononetin from Trifolium pratense L. can reduce the oxidative stress, energy metabolism impairment and inflammatory response in brain tissues, thus mitigating the CIRI in mice.