Effects of Astragaloside IV combined with the active components of Panax notoginseng on oxidative stress injury and nuclear factor‑erythroid 2‑related factor 2/heme oxygenase‑1 signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion in mice

Background: Astragalus and Panax notoginseng are traditional Chinese Medicines used for the treatments of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, being often combined together in China and achieving a good effect. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of astragaloside‑IV (AST‑IV) (the effective component of Astragalus) combined with ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1 (the effective components of P. notoginseng) on oxidative stress injury after cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion in mice, and to explore the mechanisms through nuclear factor‑erythroid 2‑related factor‑2/heme oxygenase‑1 (Nrf2/HO‑1) signaling pathway. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly grouped after treated for 3 days, the model of cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion injury was established, and the brain tissues were detected. Results: AST‑IV combined with ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1 could increase significantly the survival rate of nerve cell; decrease the contents of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, increase the activity of superoxide dismutase and the level of glutathione; Nrf2 was down‑regulated in the cytoplasm while up‑regulated in nucleus, nuclear translocation rate raised as well as HO‑1 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expressions increased. The effects of four active components combination were better than those of the active components alone. Conclusion: Active components of Astragalus and P. notoginseng had the effects against cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion injury, which were related to the antioxidative stress after cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion. AST‑IV combined with ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, notoginsenoside R1 could strengthen the antagonism effects on ischemia‑reperfusion and oxidative stress injury, the mechanism underlying might be associated with jointly activating Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion.