Neuroprotective effect of Baihe–Dihuang herb pair on post-stroke depression via regulation of the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway - Original data

A PSD rat model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group, PSD model group, fluoxetine group, and Baihe Dihuang herb pairs (1:0.5, 1:1.43 (0.7:1), 1:1 ratio) 2.78 g and 5.56 g of crude drug/kg groups, and continuously administered for 3 weeks.

Evaluate rat neurobehavior through sugar water preference, forced swimming, and spontaneous activity tests; HE、 Nissl and TUNEL staining were used to observe the morphology and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons; RT qPCR detection of BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in hippocampus; Western blot detection of BDNF/TrkB-PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway protein expression in hippocampus. Compared with the PSD model group, the neurobehavioral symptoms and hippocampal nerve damage of rats in each treatment group were improved to a certain extent (P<0.05 or P<0.01), among which the 5.56 g crude drug/kg group with a 1:1 ratio showed the most significant improvement.