The traditional Chinese medicine Huang-Lian-Jie-Du- Tang inhibits hypoxia-induced neuronal apoptosis

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT) has been used clinically for cerebral ischemia therapeutics. Here, we aimed to demonstrate whether and how HLJDT regulates neuronal apoptosis under hypoxia/ischemia. Apoptosis analysis was performed in vitro in PC12 cells with flow cytometry and in vivo in MCAO rats using TUNEL staining. The levels of caspase 9, caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bax and HIF-1α were demonstrated with western blotting. HLJDT remarkably inhibited apoptosis of neurons, both in vitro and in vivo. Caspase 9, caspase 3m Bcl-2, Bax and HIF-1α play important roles in anti-apoptotic effect of HLJDT on neuronal apoptosis hypoxia and ischemia induced