• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.586-595
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• 2004

Kamidojuk-San (KDJS) is known to be effective for treating cardiovascular diseases such hypertension, and clinically applied for the treatment of cerebral palsy or stoke patients. Yet, the overall mechanisms underlying its activity at the cellular levels are not known. Using experimental animal system, we investigated whether KDJS has protective effects on cells in cardiovascular and nervous systems. KDJS was found to rescue death of cultured primary neurons induced by AMPA, NMDA and kainate as well as BSO and Fe/sup 2+/ treatments. Moreover, KDJS treatment promoted animal's recovery from coma induced by a lethal dose of KCN treatment, and improved survival in animals exposed to lethal dose of KCN. Neurological examinations further showed that KDJS reduced the time which is required for animals to respond in terms of forelimb and hindlimb movements. To examine its physiological effects on cardiovascular and nervous systems, we induced ischemic injury in hippocampal neurons and cerebral neurons by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Histological examination revealed that KDJS significantly protected neurons from ischemic damage. Thus, the present data suggest that KDJS may play an important role in protecting cells of cardiovascular and nervous systems from external noxious stimulations.