Zang-Xiang theory is one of the core theories of basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, mainly based on the theory of Yinyang and Five elements. The theory of Yinyang and Five elements has its inherent limitations and unreasonable elements. The development of Zang-Xiang theory, to fully absorb the fruits of modern science and technology development, so that the theory of Zang-Xiang continue to improve and improve. Brain for the God of the body, regulating the function of internal organs, balance yin and yang, coordination of blood running fluid. Although the Zang-Xiang theory that the heart for the monarch of the official, the internal organs of the physiological function of the dominant role. However, in the highly developed science and technology today, we should re-examine this theory, combing and development of traditional Chinese medicine theory, to better integrate with the results of contemporary scientific development, to better guide the clinical practice of Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE：To study the improvement effects of ginsenoside Rb 3 combined with β-asarone on vascular dementia （VD）model mice and its mechanism. METHODS ：ICR mice were randomly divided into model group ，ginsenoside Rb 3 group（10 mg/kg），β-asarone group （10 mg/kg），drug combination group （ginsenoside Rb 3 10 mg/kg+β-asarone 10 mg/kg），positive control group（donepezil hydrochloride 1 mg/kg）and Akt inhibitor group （LY294002，1 mg/kg），and sham operation group was set up ， with 10 mice in each group. Except for sham operation group ，VD model was induced by four vessel occlusion method in other groups. After modeling ，sham operation group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline ，Akt inhibitor group was given relevant medicine intraperitoneally ，and other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ，twice a day ，for consecutive 30 d. After last administration ，the learning and memory ability of mice was detected by avoiding darkness test. The contents of 4-hydroxydecenoic acid （4-HNE），8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine （8-OHdG） and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in hippocampus was detected by ELISA. RT-PCR assay was used ， to detect the mRNA expression of Bcl- 2 and Bax inhippocampus. The protein expression of Bcl- 2 in cortex wadetected by immunofluorescence method. Western blotting deng- assay was used to detect the protein expression of Bcl- 2 and mz1@126.com Bax in hippocampus. RESULTS ： Compared with sham operation group ，the incubation period of avoiding darkness xiaoyinlanlp@126.com test in model group was shortened significantly ； and the number of errors was increased significa ntly；4-HNE，8-OHdG and ROS contents ，mRNA and protein expression of Bax were increased significantly ，and mRNA and protein expression of Bcl- 2 was decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group，the incubation period of avoiding darkness test was prolonged significantly in ginsenoside Rb 3 group，β-asarone group ，drug combination group and positive control group ，the number of errors was decreased significantly ；4-HNE，8-OHdG，ROS contents ， mRNA and protein expression of Bax were decreased significantly ，and mRNA and protein expression of Bcl- 2 were increased significantly，especially in drug combination group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. But the incubation period of avoiding darkness test was shortened significantly in Akt inhibitor group ，and the number of errors was increased significantly ；4-HNE，8-OHdG，ROS contents，mRNA and protein expression of Bax were increased significantly ，and mRNA and protein expression of Bcl- 2 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Ginsenoside Rb 3 combined with β-asarone has a protective effect on VD model mice ，and the effect was better than that of each compound alone. The mechanism of which may be associated with anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis of hippocampus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Zhuangtongyin on the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion （MCAO） model by modulating ferroptosis through the Nrf2-SCL7A11/xCT-Gpx4 pathway and its underlying mechanism. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into Sham operation group （Sham）， model group （MCAO）， low-dose Zhuangtongyin group （ZTY-L）， high-dose Zhuangtongyin group（ZTY-H）， with 5 mice in each group. The MCAO group was modelled by silica gel embolization， the middle cerebral artery of mice was embolized for 1h， then the silica gel was pulled out and reperfusion was performed after 72 h； and the other operations in the Sham group were the same as those in the MCAO group except that the thread plug was not inserted. The neural function of mice was evaluated by Zea-Longa method. TTC staining was used to evaluate the volume of cerebral infarction. The level of brain injury was evaluated by HE staining and Nissl staining. Prussian blue staining and the expression of iron transport-related carrier receptors TfR1 and DMT1 on mRNA level was detected by qPCR to evaluate the iron ion deposition level in mice brain. The expression of lipid peroxidation-related gene ACSL4 on mRNA level was detected by qPCR， and the content of 4-HNE was detected by ELISA kit to evaluate the lipid peroxidation level of mice brain. The expressions of ferroptosis marker PTGS2 mRNA level was detected by qPCR. The expressions of Nrf2， SCL7A11/xCT， Gpx4 in mice brain tissue were detected by Western-blot and immunofluorescence. ResultsZhuangtongyin improved the nerve function of mice after MCAO （P＜0.05） and the cerebral infarction volume of mice （P＜0.05） and alleviate the pathological injury of cerebral cortex cells after MCAO operation. Zhuangtongyin attenuated the accumulation of trivalent iron ions in the brain tissue of mice following MCAO. Additionally， Zhuangtongyin downregulated the expression of TfR1 and DMT1 mRNA （P＜0.001）， a transporter associated with cellular iron ion uptake， in the brains of post-MCAO mice. Furthermore， Zhuangtongyin reduced levels of lipid peroxidation product 4-HNE （P＜0.001） and suppressed ACSL4 mRNA expression in brain tissue post-MCAO （P＜0.001）. Besides， Zhuangtongyin downregulated the expression of PTGS2 mRNA （P＜0.001）， in the brains of post-MCAO mice. Zhuangtongyin increased the expression of nrf2 into the nucleus （P＜0.001）， and increased the expression of xCT and Gpx4 in neurons after MCAO （P＜0.001）. ConclusionZhuangtongyin can enhance the nerve function and reduce cerebral infarction volume in MCAO/R mice， alleviate the pathological damage of cerebral cortex cells， and modulate the expression of key signaling molecules in the Nrf2-SCL7A11/xCT-Gpx4 pathway. Therefore， it is suggested that the mechanism by which Zhuangtongyin improves MCAO/R injury in mice may involve regulating ferroptosis through the Nrf2-SCL7A11/xCT-GPX4 pathway.