Efficacy of Danhong injection on serum concentration of TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Danhong injection on the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and evaluate its therapeutic effects on inflammation and cerebral edema. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model and Danhong groups with 25 rats in each group. Intracerebral injection of autologous arterial blood was performed on model and Danhong groups in order to establish intracerebral hemorrhage model. Rats in the control group were given the same operation procedure without blood injection. After successfully establishing the intracerebral hemorrhage model, the rats were given Danhong (2ml/kg/d) through intraperitoneal injection. Rats in the control and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline respectively. The brain water content (BWC) and serum level of TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB were measured in all groups at the time points of day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Results The neurological deficit score (NDS) were not statistical different in days 1, 3 and 5 between the model and Danhong group (P>0.05); However, on day 7 and 9 after modeling, the NDS in the Danhong group was significant lower than that of the Model group (P<0.05). The brain water content in the model and Danhong groups were significantly elevated compared to control group (P<0.05). The brain water content was significant elevated after modeling in the model and Danhong groups on day 3 and gradually decreased over the next 6 days.The brain water content was significantly higher in the model group for days 3 to 9 compared to the Danhong group (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the serum NF-κb was significantly lower in the Danhong group for the time point of day 3 and 5 (P<0.05); However, compared to the model group, the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the Danhong group were significantly lower for each time point (P<0.05). Conclusion Danhong injection can reduce cerebral edema in rats with cerebral hemorrhage, and protect the brain nerve function. These effects may be related to its function of regulating serum TNF-α, NF-κB and IL-6 expression.