Background: Ischemia stroke is known as the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used to prevent and treat stoke for hundreds of years. The purpose of present study is to investigate the effects of BHD on angiogenesis in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury targeting Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) / Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Methods: The cerebral I/R injury model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Adult Sprag-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, normal saline (NS) group, BHD group, BHD+EX527 (SIRT1 specific inhibitor) group, and NS+EX527 group. Each group was divided into the subgroups according to 1, 3, 7, or 14 days time-point after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, respectively. Neurological function score (NFS) was evaluated by the Rogers scale; microvascular density (MVD) in brain tissue around infarction area was observed by immunofluorescence; and the expression of SIRT1 and VEGF was assessed by Western Blot and Quantitative Real-time-PCR. Results: BHD can significantly improve NFS (P < 0.05), increase the MVD in the boundary ischemic area (P < 0.01) and elevate the expression of protein and mRNA of SIRT1 and VEGF following I/R injury (P < 0.01). In contrast, treatment with EX527 reversed the BHD-induced improvements in NFS (P < 0.01) and decreased the MVD (P < 0.01) and the expression of SIRT1 and VEGF (P < 0.05). Conclusion: BHD exerts neuroprotection targeting angiogenesis through the up-regulation of SIRT1/VEGF pathway against cerebral ischemic injury in rats.

Ginseng is an important herbal drug that has been used worldwide for many years. Ginsenoside Rb1 (G‐Rb1), the major pharmacological extract from ginseng, possesses a variety of biological activities in the cardiovascular systems. Here, we conducted a preclinical systematic review to investigate the efficacy of G‐Rb1 for animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and its possible mechanisms. Ten studies involving 211 animals were identified by searching 6 databases from inception to May 2017. The methodological quality was assessed by using the CAMARADES 10‐item checklist. All the data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. As a result, the score of study quality ranged from 3 to 7 points. Meta‐analyses showed that G‐Rb1 can significantly decrease the myocardial infarct size and cardiac enzymes (including lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase‐MB) when compared with control group (P < 0.01). Significant decrease in cardiac troponin T and improvement in the degree of ST‐segment depression were reported in one study (P < 0.05). Additionally, the possible mechanisms of G‐Rb1 for myocardial infarction are antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptosis, promoting angiogenesis and improving the circulation. Thus, G‐Rb1 is a potential cardioprotective candidate for further clinical trials of myocardial infarction.

Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, danshen root (danshen), is one of the widely used Chinese herbal medicines in clinics, containing rich phenolic compounds. Salvianolic acid is the main active compound responsible for the pharmacologic effects of danshen. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of salvianolic acid on cardioprotection through promoting angiogenesis in experimental myocardial infarction. Studies of salvianolic acid in animal models of myocardial infarction were obtained from 6 databases until April 2016. The outcome measures were vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), blood vessel density (BVD), and myocardial infarct size. All the data were analyzed using Rev‐Man 5.3 software. Ultimately, 14 studies were identified involving 226 animals. The quality score of studies ranged from 3 to 6. The meta‐analysis of six studies showed significant effects of salvianolic acid on increasing VEGF expression compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The meta‐analysis of the two salvianolic acid A studies and three salvianolic acid B studies showed significantly improving BVD compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The meta‐analysis of five studies showed significant effects of salvianolic acid for decreasing myocardial infarct size compared with the control group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that salvianolic acid can exert cardioprotection through promoting angiogenesis in animal models of myocardial infarction.

To achieve sufficient blood–brain barrier (BBB), penetration is one of the biggest challenges in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms of borneol for improving co-administration of CNS drug delivery in animal models. The electronic literature search was conducted in six databases. Fifty-eight studies with 63 comparisons involved 1137 animals were included. Among 47 studies reporting the assessments of CNS drug concentration, 45 studies showed the significant effects of borneol for improving CNS drug delivery (p<.05), whereas 2 studies showed no difference (p>.05). Nineteen comparisons showed borneol up-regulated BBB permeability (p<.05) using brain EB content (n = 8), Rh 123 content (n = 4), brain imaging agent content (n = 2), brain water content (n = 1) and observing ultrastructure of BBB (n = 4), whereas three studies showed no difference or unclear results. Seven studies reported the safety, in which one study showed borneol was reversible changes in the BBB penetration; six studies showed borneol did not increase co-administration of blood drugs concentration of peripheral tissues (p > .05). Effects of borneol are closely associated with inhibition of efflux protein function, releasement of tight junction protein, increasement of vasodilatory neurotransmitters, and inhibition of active transport by ion channels. In conclusion, borneol is a promising candidate for CNS drug delivery, mainly through mediating a multi-targeted BBB permeability.

Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) originated from a classical TCM Fufang Suhexiang Pill for chest pain with dyspnea in the Southern Song Dynasty (1107-110 AD) and currently is still widely used for treating cardiovascular disease. Here, we aimed to evaluate preclinical evidence and possible mechanism of SBP for experimental coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies of SBP in animal models with CHD were identified from 6 databases until April 2016. Study quality for each included article was evaluated according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. Outcome measures were myocardial infarction area, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel count (MVC). All the data were analyzed by using RevMan 5.1 software. As a consequence, 25 studies with 439 animals were identified. The quality score of studies ranged from 2 to 5, with the median of 3.6. Meta-analysis of 7 studies showed more significant effects of SBP on the reduction of the myocardial infarction area than the control (P<0.01). Meta-analysis of studies showed significant effects of SBP for increasing VEGF expression compared with the control (P<0.01). Meta-analysis of 10 studies indicated that SBP significantly improved MVC compared with the control (P<0.01). In conclusion, these findings preliminarily demonstrated that SBP can reduce myocardial infarction area, exerting cardioprotective function largely through promoting angiogenesis.