Efficacy of cerebrolysin in cerebral hemorrhage model in rats

Abstract The pharmacological efficacy of cerebrolysin (a brain-derived peptidergic drug) was studied in rats with a unilateral hemorrhagic stroke model. Cerebrolysin produces a neuroprotective effect, which is manifested by a decrease in the number of degenerated neurons in the vicinity of hematoma region in acute period and by a reduction of the neuronal loss in the early recovery phase. Besides, the administration of cerebrolysin improves the functional state as judged from the results of neurological and behavioral tests (open field, paw licking, and passive avoidance). A decrease in the hyperactivity in the open field test and the conservation of latent avoidance in the passive avoidance test demonstrate the drug influence on the maintenance of inhibitory processes deteriorated in stroke.