Tissues and organs generate angiogenesis under the stimulation of angiogenic factors in physiological or pathological conditions.Multiple signal pathways including VEGF, Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, Ang1(2)/tie2 and PIK-Akt etc.have effects on various stages of angiogenesis.VEGF exerts irreplaceable effects on the whole process of angiogenesis through multiple signal pathways.Over the past few years, new progress has been made in the researches of mechanisms regulating angiogenesis through VEGF-related signal pathways both at home and abroad.These findings provide us new theoretical basis for clarification of the pathogenesis of many diseases and clinical drug development.In this article we will summarize the recent research progress in this field, hoping to provide new possibilities for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.

Objective To study the effects of morroniside on the expression of Wnt signaling-related transcription factors neurogenin 2 (Ngn2), Pax6 and Tbr2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex 7 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=3), ischemia group (n=3), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=3). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 min, and re-perfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg 3 hours after operation. The expression of Ngn2, Pax6 and Tbr2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex were detected with Western blotting analysis 7 days after operation. Results The expression of Ngn2 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.05), and it further increased the morroniside groups of medium and high dosage compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the ischemia group and sham group in the expression of Pax6, while it increased the morroniside groups of medium and high dosage compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference among all the groups in the expression of Tbr2. Conclusion Morroniside could increase the expression of Ngn2 and Pax6 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex 7 days after ischemia-reperfusion in rats, suggesting promoting the neurogenesis after ischemia.

Objective To study the effects of morroniside on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-9 in the peri- infarct cortex 3 days after cerebral ischemia- reperfusion. Methods 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=3), ischemia group (n=3), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=3). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 min, and re-perfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg 3 hours after operation. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in peri-infarct cortex were detected with immunohistochemistry staining 3 days after operation. Results The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.01), and it decreased in all the morroniside groups compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). Conclusion Morroniside could decrease the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the peri-infarct cortex 3 days after ischemia, suggesting protecting the function of blood-brain barrier from ischemia.

Proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells is regulated by autologous or external, adjacent or remote cell signaling pathways. This paper reviewed the studies about the Notch, BMP, Wnt, Shh signaling pathways related to brain neurogenesis.

Objective To investigate the effects of morroniside on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced calcium overload and cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Methods SH-SY5Y cells were pre-incubated with morroniside 1, 10, or 100 μmol/L for 24 h prior to exposure to H2O2 300~500 μmol/L for 18 h. The cytosolic free calcium concentration and LDH release were determined. Results The H2O2-induced cytosolic free calcium concentration decreased in the cells pre-incubated with morroniside 10 or 100 μmol/L, while the LDH release level decreased in the cells pre-incubated with morroniside 1, 10 or 100 μmol/L, comparison with the cells exposed H2O2 along. Conclusion Morroniside effects neuroprotection against H2O2-induced calcium overload and cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cell.

The pathways of brain injury caused by ischemic stroke are complicated. Due to those largely ineffective current therapeutic strategies, the development of new and efficient therapeutic interventions is clearly needed. This article summarized the progress in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, the drugs for treatment and the therapeutic time window.

Parkinson's disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder among old people, characterized by progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and accordingly low level of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway.Neuroinflammation and even systemic inflammation have been suggested to be involved in the demise of dopaminergic neurons. Anti-inflammatory treatment could protect brain from inflammatory injury and prevent the progressive course of Parkinson's disease, which suggests a potential new strategy for Parkinson's disease treatment.

Neuronal calcium (Ca2+) signaling is abnormal in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). The increase in neuronal Ca2 + concentration as a result of normal aging could promote the neurodegenerative process.The role of aberrant neuronal Ca2+ signaling in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and aging process was discussed here.

Parkinson's disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder among old people. Parkinson's disease model induced with 6-hydroxydopamine has been used to research pathology and medication of Parkinson's disease.

Atherosclerosis is the common basic pathophysiology progresses of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaque rupture and consequently thrombosis are the major cause of mobility and mortality in atherosclerosis, and treatment aimed at stabilizing vulnerable plaques is of great clinical importance. However, an ideal drug for stabilizing vulnerable plaques is still lacking. Although Statins are considered as the most potent drugs for stabilizing plaques, their side effects are serious. Traditional Chinese medicine have multi-targets and less side effect, it might be the potential candidate for atherosclerosis treatment. This article reviewed the latest progresses on the stabilizing vulnerable plaques treatments.