The Effect of Acori Graminei Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture at GV20 on Dementia in a Focal Cerebral Ischemia Mice Model

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Acori Graminie Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture (PA-AG) at GV20 on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in Mice. Methods : Mice were divided into the five following groups: normal, control, acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg). All groups, except the normal group, had cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery. The control group was not treated. The acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-GA (34 mg/kg) groups were treated every other day with a total of 6 treatments. The effect of treatment was observed by Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cytochrome c, cresyl violet, and choline acetyltransferase staining. Results : In the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group, the intensity of Bax was decreased and the intensity of Bcl-2 was increased. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio also decreased in the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group. The intensity of cytochrome c protein stain was decreased in the PA-AG (17 mg/kg) group. The density of neurons stained by cresyl violet and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was increased in the AT, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg) groups when compared with that of the control group. Conclusion : PA-AG at GV20 was effective on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in mice. KCI Citation Count: 0