OBJECTIVETo explore permeability of artificial blood-brain barrier (aBBB) by oxygen-glucose deprivation combined (OGD)-induced using tetramethylpyrazine combined with puerarin in vitro.

METHODRats were divided into normal control group, model group, tetramethylpyrazine group, puerarin group, tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group and nimodipine group. Culture rat brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes in vitro and build the OGD-induced aBBB damage model. Evaluate aBBB damage characteristics by TEER, gamma-GT, AKP and LDH. Determine contents of tetramethylpyrazine, puerarin, nimodipine and calculate drug permeating concentration of OGD-induced aBBB model by HPLC.

RESULTCompared with the model, the level of TEER was lower than the control group with significant difference (P < 0.01). The levels of gamma-GT, AKP in tetramethylpyrazine group, tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group and nimodipine group were higher than the model group, the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Compared with tetramethylpyrazine group or puerarin group, the level of AKP of tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group increased significantly (P < 0.01). The differences of levels of TEER, gamma-GT, AKP and LDH between tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group and nimodipinthe group were significant (P < 0.05). Tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group has a synergistic effect of increasing TEER, gamma-GT, AKP and reducing LDH. The permeating rate in tetramethylpyrazine-puerarin group was higher than tetramethylpyrazine group and puerarin group.

CONCLUSIONTetramethylpyrazine-puerarin can permeate aBBB more easily and protect aBBB. The cause may relate to reducing the permeability of the OGD-induced aBBB.