The protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume extracts on middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

To investigate the effects of Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) on brain damage, GEB or HBA was administered orally for 14 days before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After 24 h reperfusion, the proportion of circling was significantly reduced in the GEB (79%) or HBA (69%) group compared to the MCAO group (100%) in the corner test, and the removal time in the adhesive removal test was significantly decreased in the GEB (117 ± 21.0 s) and HBA (101 ± 20.9 s) groups compared to the MCAO group (161 ± 12.6 s). GEB treatment significantly reduced infarct volume compared to the MCAO group. In the GEB and HBA group, necrosis of nerve cells in hippocampus and cortex, expressions of TNF-α and TUNEL positive cells were significantly reduced compared to the MCAO group. These results suggest that GEB and HBA prevents brain damage by anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.