The inhibitory effects of cholalic acid and hyodeoxycholalic acid on the expression of TNFα and IL-1β after cerebral ischemia in rats

Previous studies have shown that Qing Kai Ling, a traditional Chinese medicine, was able to effectively prevent the inflammation from cerebral ischemia (Chen et al., 2002). The cholalic acid and hyodeoxycholalic acid (cholalic acid mixture) was major active components in Qing Kai Ling. To study the effects of cholalic acid mixture on the damage cascade of cerebral ischemia, rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by permanent occlusion of left middle cerebral artery. We found that the administration of cholalic acid mixture could reduce the ischemic infarct size after 24 h of ischemia, and cholalic acid mixture could be detected in cerebrospinal fluid after 2h of administration. We also found that the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interlukin-1beta in rat brain were significantly lower when compared to the untreated animals after 12 h and 24 h of ischemia. The concentrations of von Willebrand factor and neuron specific enolase in the plasma were remarkably decreased in cholalic acid mixture treated animals than in the untreated ones after 12h of ischemia. Our results suggested that cholalic acid mixture is able to decrease the expression of inflammation factors including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interlukin-1beta after focal cerebral ischemia.