Objective: To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) drug serum on rat's in vitro cultured cerebral cortical neuron apoptosis induced by hypoxia, and on the expression of p53 and p21 genes in hypoxia process.
Methods: The model of hypoxia neuron apoptosis was established adopting Daniel method and treated with BHD drug serum. The neuron apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining, the p53 and p21 gene expression was tested by immunohistochemical method with flow cytometry.
Results: BHD could significantly inhibit the neuron apoptosis induced by hypoxia and down-regulate the expressions of p53 and p21 genes.
Conclusion: BHD shows inhibition on neuron hypoxia apoptosis and down-regulating of the p53 and p21 gene expression is one of its mechanisms.