Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
권호 표지

Effects of FOLIUM ARTEMISIAE ARGYI' Herbal Acupuncture on the Expression of nNOS protein Following Transient Forebrain Ischemic Injury in Rats

애엽(艾葉) 추출(抽出) 약침(藥鍼)이 허혈성(虛血性) 손상(損傷)에 미치는 효과(效果)

  • Choi, Yun-Young (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Kim, Jae-Hyo (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Jeon, Moon-Ki (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Lim, Jung-A (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Kim, Kyung-Sik (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Sohn, In-Chul (Dept. of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University)
  • 최윤영 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 김재효 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 전문기 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 임정아 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 김경식 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 손인철 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실)
  • Published : 2004.03.27
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objectives : Acupuncture has been used to prevent and treat the cerebrovascular accident, such as a stroke, and many studies of acupuncture and moxibustion concerning to the stroke have been undertaken in the human and various animals. Also, herbal acupuncture, namely aqua acupuncture has been applied and developed to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. FOLIUM ARTEMISIAE ARGYI is the dry leaf of Artemisia argyi Levl. et Vant. collected in summer before the plant blooms and used to moxibustion and has been recommended for use as an analgesic and hemostatic. In this study, effects of FOLIUM ARTEMISIAE ARGYI (艾葉)' herbal acupuncture on the $LR_3$, namely Taechung on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Methods : Expressions of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry. Results : Expression of nNOS protein was increased in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. However, pretreatment with FOLIUM ARTEMISIAE ARGYI' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ significantly decreased expression of nNOS protein protein compared to ischemia group. These features were observed in the motor cortex and the hippocampus. Conclusions : These results suggest that pretreatment with FOLIUM ARTEMISIAE ARGYI' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ inhibits the expression of nNOS protein induced by transient forebrain ischemia and may modulate excitatory toxicity of neuron related to neuronal cell death.

Keywords