Neuroprotective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on spinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats is linked with inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 5

BACKGROUND: Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been shown to exert a variety of pharmacological effects including neuroprotective properties. However, the mechanism of neuroprotection is not fully understood. This study was designed to explore the mechanism of BYHWD in the treatment of spinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats, weighting 250–280 g, were used, and were randomly divided into four groups with 7 animals in each: sham operation group (Control), spinal ischemia with saline (SI + Saline), spinal ischemia with BYHWD (SI + BYHWD), and spinal ischemia with roscovitine (SI + R). After 60 minutes of spinal ischemia followed by 72 hours of reperfusion, motor function of hind limbs, spinal ischemic infarction volume, the number of apoptotic cells, and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) were examined. RESULT: Ischemia-reperfusion resulted in injury of the spines, while BYHWD significantly improved spinal function. The spinal infarction volume, number of apoptotic cells, and Cdk5 were decreased by administration of BYHWD. The similar improvements were seen with the pre-treatment of roscovitine. CONCLUSIONS: BYHWD prevented the ischemia-reperfusion-induced spinal injury in rats. The protective function of BYHWD was, in part, linked with inhibition of Cdk5.