Cerebroprotective Effect of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills and Coicis Semen on Rats with Traumatic Brain Injury through Regulation of the ERK Pathway

Zhachong shisanwei pills (ZSP) and the Chinese herb Coicis Semen (CS) were both traditionally used in the clinical treatment of brain injury. The aim of the study was to test the cerebroprotective effect of ZSP and CS on rats with traumatic brain injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal, sham surgery, control, ZPS and CS groups. A hydraulic impact device was used to induce traumatic brain injury (TBI) models. ZSP or CS were used immediately after the rat is successfully created and therapy is performed once a day. The rats were sacrificed and their brain was removed after 48 h treatment. The brain water content and neurobehavioral assessment were measured for TBI. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used for the effect of ZPS or CS on ERK Pathway. The survival rates increase significantly and the survival time is apparently extended in ZSP or CS treatment groups. The brain water contents were remarkably higher in the control group while treatment with ZPS or CS significantly reduced the water content. Finally, compared with the control group, treatment groups showed a significant increase in neurobehavioral scores. ERK1, p38MAPK, AQP4 and MMP9 gene expression/protein levels were significantly increased in the injured brain tissue cortex in the control group but ZSP or CS treatment significantly reduced these levels. ZPS or CS can improve the neurological function rating scores of rats following a TBI. Their cerebroprotective effect was probably realized through the regulation of the ERK pathway.