Objective To develop albumin-binding indocyanine green (ICG) and assess its potential for near-infrared fluorescence imaging and intraoperative navigation in lung cancer. Methods ABD-tri was recombinantly expressed by genetic engineering. Its albumin-binding capability was determined using size-exclusion chromatography, and its albumin-dependent binding to lung cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. ICG was conjugated to ABD-tri to generate the fluorescent probe ABD-tri-ICG. The potential of ABD-tri-ICG for near-infrared fluorescence imaging and imaging-guided tumor resection was evaluated in mice bearing subcutaneous tumor grafts of lung cancer. Results ABD-tri was highly expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and was purified to homogeneity via a simple affinity chromatography. ABD-tri bound both human and murine serum albumin, contributing to its binding to lung cancer cells. ICG was effectively conjugated to ABD-tri to produce the fluorescence probe ABD-tri-ICG after mixing and incubation at room temperature for 1 h. In mice bearing lung cancer tumor grafts, intravenously injected ABD-tri-ICG enabled clear visualization of tumors with diameters ranging from 5 to 7 mm within 0.5-24 h post-injection. The tumor grafts were resected under the guidance of ABD-tri-ICG-mediated near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Conclusion Intravenous injection of ABD-tri-ICG allows rapid and sustained visualization of lung cancer tumor grafts and enables intraoperative navigation in mice, warranting further evaluation on the clinical translation of ABD-tri-ICG.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the association of Chinese visceral adiposity index(CVAI)and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)with the risk of digestive malignancies in the Kailuan study population,and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of digestive malignancies in the population.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted,and a total of 94 377 Kailuan workers who participated in the 2006 health examination,had no history of cancer,and had complete data on CVAI,CRP,and related covariates were selected as the observation cohort.According to the levels of CVAI and CRP,the subjects were divided into low CVAI+CRP≤3 mg/L group[CVAI(-)CRP(-)group],low CVAI+CRP>3 mg/L group[CVAI(-)CRP(+)group],high CVAI+CRP≤3 mg/L group[CVAI(+)CRP(-)group],and high CVAI+CRP>3 mg/L group[CVAI(+)CRP(+)group].An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to assess the impact of CVAI and CRP alone or in combination on the risk of digestive malignancies.Results There were significant differences between the four groups in age,male/female ratio,total cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,waist circumference,body mass index,marital status,alcohol consumption,smoking,reported income,and physical exercise(all P<0.05).During a mean follow-up time of 14.08±2.76 years,2 043 new-onset cases of digestive malignancies were identified by the end of follow-up on December 31,2021.The Cox proportional-hazards regression model showed that after adjustment for CRP and other factors,compared with the low CVAI group,the high CVAI group had a hazard ratio(HR)of 1.34(95%confidence interval[CI]:1.23-1.47)for the risk of digestive malignancies.After adjustment for CVAI and other factors,compared with the CRP≤3 mg/L group,the CRP>3 mg/L group had an HR of 1.14(95%CI:1.02-1.28)for the risk of digestive malignancies.Compared with the CVAI(-)CRP(-)group(n=40 978),the CVAI(-)CRP(+)group(n=6 210),the CVAI(+)CRP(-)group(n=36 502),and the CVAI(+)CRP(+)group(n=10 687)had an HR of 1.05(95%CI:1.01-1.09,P<0.05),1.32(95%CI:1.20-1.45,P<0.05),and 1.48(95%CI:1.28-1.70,P<0.05),respectively,for the risk of digestive malignancies.As for digestive malignancies at specific locations,the CVAI(+)CRP(+)group had an increased risk of liver cancer,gastric cancer,pancreatic cancer,colorectal cancer,and small intestinal cancer with an HR of 1.35(95%CI:1.05-1.81,P<0.05),1.48(95%CI:1.09-2.00,P<0.05),1.60(95%CI:1.07-2.41,P<0.05),1.76(1.40-2.21,P<0.05),and 3.85(95%CI:1.43-10.33,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion A high level of CVAI,a high level of CRP,and high levels of CVAI and CRP in combination can all increase the risk of digestive malignancies,among which the high levels of CVAI and CRP in combination may lead to a higher risk.

Objective:To investigate the differences in electrophysiological brain development of neonates in Tibet and Beijing.Methods:This prospective cohort study included neonates with gestational ages of 28 to 40 weeks and 6 days, without asphyxia, hypoxia, or brain injury, who were born between January 2022 and June 2024 at the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital and Peking University First Hospital. The first electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring was completed within 48 hours to 7 days after birth, which included a 4-channel amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and a 12-channel continuous EEG (cEEG). Two electrophysiology experts scored the EEG results according to a rating scale, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to explore the consistency between different evaluators. Preterm infants with gestational ages of 32 to 36 weeks and 6 days and post-menstrual age (PMA) less than full-term at the first EEG monitoring were re-examined with aEEG and cEEG at PMA of 37 to 40 weeks and 6 days. Infants were grouped based on PMA at the first EEG monitoring. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlations between total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores, and PMA, gestational age, birth weight, and head circumference at the first EEG monitoring. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the differences in total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores between Tibet and Beijing, among adjacent PMA groups, and for premature infants at full-term PMA. Results:(1) A total of 341 neonates were included in this study, including 154 cases from Tibet (nine cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 13 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 28 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 38 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 66 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group) and 187 cases from Beijing (10 cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 10 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 16 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 91 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 60 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group). (2) Inter-rater consistency:the consistency of PMA inferred based on the total aEEC+CEEC score and actual PMA was high in two raters ( ICCrater one=0.96, ICCrater two=0.94, both P<0.01). (3) The correlation between total aEEG+cEEG score and PMA ( r=0.80) was stronger than that between the aEEG alone or cEEG scores and PMA ( r were 0.79 and 0.66, respectively). The total aEEG+cEEG score also correlated with gestational age at birth ( r=0.74), birth weight ( r=0.69), and head circumference at first EEG monitoring ( r=0.69) (all P<0.01). (4) Regardless of whether in Tibet or Beijing, the total aEEG+cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 30- 31 weeks and 6 days, 32-33 weeks and 6 days, 34-36 weeks and 6 days, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the aEEG score in the PMA 32- 33 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, and the score in the PMA 37-40 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 34-36 weeks and 6 days group (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.05). (5) At PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days, the total aEEG+cEEG score [25 points (22-26 points) vs. 26 points (24-28 points), Z=－2.62, P=0.009] and cEEG score [12 points (12-14 points) vs. 15 points (13-16 points), Z=－4.77, P<0.001] of newborns in Tibet were lower than those in Beijing, while the aEEG score was higher than those in Beijing [12 points (10-13 points) vs. 11 points (10-12 points), Z=2.17, P=0.030]; at PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days, the cEEG score of newborns in Tibet was lower than those in Beijing [16 points (15-17 points) vs. 17 points (15-18 points), Z=－2.27, P=0.023]. (6) The total aEEG+cEEG score of preterm infants born at 32 to 33 weeks and 6 days in Tibet was lower at PMA full-term compared to those in Beijing [27 points (26-28 points) vs. 29 points (28 -30 points), Z=－2.94], and also lower compared to the total aEEG+cEEG score of full-term gestational age newborns in Tibet during their first EEG monitoring [29 points (27-30 points)] (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In the high-altitude hypobaric hypoxic environment, the electroencephalographic development of newborns, especially premature infants, maybe lag behind of plain areas. The combined use of aEEG+cEEG may provide a better evaluation of neonatal brain development than using cEEG or aEEG alone.

Objective:This study empirically analyzes the relationship between outpatient and inpatient services under the impact of healthcare payment reform,and evaluates the effects of the reform.Methods:Data from healthcare services and basic medical insurance payments in eight districts of Jinhua City from 2020 to 2022 were used.A fixed-effects model for outpatient and inpatient services was constructed to analyze the impact of healthcare payment reforms and outpatient services on inpatient services.Results:The DRG-based payment had a significant positive effect on inpatient visits and a significant negative effect on employee basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The"capitation+APG"outpatient payment policy had a significant negative effect on inpatient visits and a significant negative effect on residents'basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The interaction between outpatient payment and outpatient visits had a significant negative effect on employee basic medical insurance inpatient visits,while the interaction between outpatient payment and outpatient costs had a significant negative effect on both overall and employee inpatient costs.Conclusions:The DRG payment reform led to an increase in inpatient visits and a reduction in employee basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The outpatient"capitation+APG"payment reform reduced inpatient visits and lowered residents'basic medical insurance inpatient costs,thereby slowing down the complementary effect between outpatient and inpatient services.

Objective To investigate the association of Chinese visceral adiposity index(CVAI)and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)with the risk of digestive malignancies in the Kailuan study population,and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of digestive malignancies in the population.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted,and a total of 94 377 Kailuan workers who participated in the 2006 health examination,had no history of cancer,and had complete data on CVAI,CRP,and related covariates were selected as the observation cohort.According to the levels of CVAI and CRP,the subjects were divided into low CVAI+CRP≤3 mg/L group[CVAI(-)CRP(-)group],low CVAI+CRP>3 mg/L group[CVAI(-)CRP(+)group],high CVAI+CRP≤3 mg/L group[CVAI(+)CRP(-)group],and high CVAI+CRP>3 mg/L group[CVAI(+)CRP(+)group].An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to assess the impact of CVAI and CRP alone or in combination on the risk of digestive malignancies.Results There were significant differences between the four groups in age,male/female ratio,total cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,waist circumference,body mass index,marital status,alcohol consumption,smoking,reported income,and physical exercise(all P<0.05).During a mean follow-up time of 14.08±2.76 years,2 043 new-onset cases of digestive malignancies were identified by the end of follow-up on December 31,2021.The Cox proportional-hazards regression model showed that after adjustment for CRP and other factors,compared with the low CVAI group,the high CVAI group had a hazard ratio(HR)of 1.34(95%confidence interval[CI]:1.23-1.47)for the risk of digestive malignancies.After adjustment for CVAI and other factors,compared with the CRP≤3 mg/L group,the CRP>3 mg/L group had an HR of 1.14(95%CI:1.02-1.28)for the risk of digestive malignancies.Compared with the CVAI(-)CRP(-)group(n=40 978),the CVAI(-)CRP(+)group(n=6 210),the CVAI(+)CRP(-)group(n=36 502),and the CVAI(+)CRP(+)group(n=10 687)had an HR of 1.05(95%CI:1.01-1.09,P<0.05),1.32(95%CI:1.20-1.45,P<0.05),and 1.48(95%CI:1.28-1.70,P<0.05),respectively,for the risk of digestive malignancies.As for digestive malignancies at specific locations,the CVAI(+)CRP(+)group had an increased risk of liver cancer,gastric cancer,pancreatic cancer,colorectal cancer,and small intestinal cancer with an HR of 1.35(95%CI:1.05-1.81,P<0.05),1.48(95%CI:1.09-2.00,P<0.05),1.60(95%CI:1.07-2.41,P<0.05),1.76(1.40-2.21,P<0.05),and 3.85(95%CI:1.43-10.33,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion A high level of CVAI,a high level of CRP,and high levels of CVAI and CRP in combination can all increase the risk of digestive malignancies,among which the high levels of CVAI and CRP in combination may lead to a higher risk.

Objective:This study empirically analyzes the relationship between outpatient and inpatient services under the impact of healthcare payment reform,and evaluates the effects of the reform.Methods:Data from healthcare services and basic medical insurance payments in eight districts of Jinhua City from 2020 to 2022 were used.A fixed-effects model for outpatient and inpatient services was constructed to analyze the impact of healthcare payment reforms and outpatient services on inpatient services.Results:The DRG-based payment had a significant positive effect on inpatient visits and a significant negative effect on employee basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The"capitation+APG"outpatient payment policy had a significant negative effect on inpatient visits and a significant negative effect on residents'basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The interaction between outpatient payment and outpatient visits had a significant negative effect on employee basic medical insurance inpatient visits,while the interaction between outpatient payment and outpatient costs had a significant negative effect on both overall and employee inpatient costs.Conclusions:The DRG payment reform led to an increase in inpatient visits and a reduction in employee basic medical insurance inpatient costs.The outpatient"capitation+APG"payment reform reduced inpatient visits and lowered residents'basic medical insurance inpatient costs,thereby slowing down the complementary effect between outpatient and inpatient services.

Objective:To investigate the differences in electrophysiological brain development of neonates in Tibet and Beijing.Methods:This prospective cohort study included neonates with gestational ages of 28 to 40 weeks and 6 days, without asphyxia, hypoxia, or brain injury, who were born between January 2022 and June 2024 at the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital and Peking University First Hospital. The first electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring was completed within 48 hours to 7 days after birth, which included a 4-channel amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and a 12-channel continuous EEG (cEEG). Two electrophysiology experts scored the EEG results according to a rating scale, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to explore the consistency between different evaluators. Preterm infants with gestational ages of 32 to 36 weeks and 6 days and post-menstrual age (PMA) less than full-term at the first EEG monitoring were re-examined with aEEG and cEEG at PMA of 37 to 40 weeks and 6 days. Infants were grouped based on PMA at the first EEG monitoring. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlations between total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores, and PMA, gestational age, birth weight, and head circumference at the first EEG monitoring. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the differences in total aEEG+cEEG scores, individual aEEG and cEEG scores between Tibet and Beijing, among adjacent PMA groups, and for premature infants at full-term PMA. Results:(1) A total of 341 neonates were included in this study, including 154 cases from Tibet (nine cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 13 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 28 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 38 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 66 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group) and 187 cases from Beijing (10 cases in the PMA of 28-29 weeks and 6 days group, 10 cases in the PMA of 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, 16 cases in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 91 cases in the PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 60 cases in the PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days group). (2) Inter-rater consistency:the consistency of PMA inferred based on the total aEEC+CEEC score and actual PMA was high in two raters ( ICCrater one=0.96, ICCrater two=0.94, both P<0.01). (3) The correlation between total aEEG+cEEG score and PMA ( r=0.80) was stronger than that between the aEEG alone or cEEG scores and PMA ( r were 0.79 and 0.66, respectively). The total aEEG+cEEG score also correlated with gestational age at birth ( r=0.74), birth weight ( r=0.69), and head circumference at first EEG monitoring ( r=0.69) (all P<0.01). (4) Regardless of whether in Tibet or Beijing, the total aEEG+cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 30- 31 weeks and 6 days, 32-33 weeks and 6 days, 34-36 weeks and 6 days, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the cEEG score increased sequentially in the PMA of 32-33 weeks and 6 days group, 34-36 weeks and 6 days group, and 37-40 weeks and 6 days groups; the aEEG score in the PMA 32- 33 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 30-31 weeks and 6 days group, and the score in the PMA 37-40 weeks and 6 days group was higher than that in the 34-36 weeks and 6 days group (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.05). (5) At PMA of 34-36 weeks and 6 days, the total aEEG+cEEG score [25 points (22-26 points) vs. 26 points (24-28 points), Z=－2.62, P=0.009] and cEEG score [12 points (12-14 points) vs. 15 points (13-16 points), Z=－4.77, P<0.001] of newborns in Tibet were lower than those in Beijing, while the aEEG score was higher than those in Beijing [12 points (10-13 points) vs. 11 points (10-12 points), Z=2.17, P=0.030]; at PMA of 37-40 weeks and 6 days, the cEEG score of newborns in Tibet was lower than those in Beijing [16 points (15-17 points) vs. 17 points (15-18 points), Z=－2.27, P=0.023]. (6) The total aEEG+cEEG score of preterm infants born at 32 to 33 weeks and 6 days in Tibet was lower at PMA full-term compared to those in Beijing [27 points (26-28 points) vs. 29 points (28 -30 points), Z=－2.94], and also lower compared to the total aEEG+cEEG score of full-term gestational age newborns in Tibet during their first EEG monitoring [29 points (27-30 points)] (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In the high-altitude hypobaric hypoxic environment, the electroencephalographic development of newborns, especially premature infants, maybe lag behind of plain areas. The combined use of aEEG+cEEG may provide a better evaluation of neonatal brain development than using cEEG or aEEG alone.

Aim To study the neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion rats and its mechanism. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group, low, middle and high dose groups of Herba siegesbeckiae, and Sham operation group, and the drug was given continuously for seven days. The degree of neurologic impairment was evaluated by mNSS, and the infarct volume was measured by MRI. The number of Nissl-posi- tive cells was detected by Nissl staining, and the apop- tosis was accessed by Tunel staining. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and NeuN was observed by Western blot, and the expression of NeuN was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of IL- 1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA was performed by RT- qPCR. Results The mNSS score and the volume of ischemic cerebral infarction in the model group were significantly increased, and Herba siegesbeckiae extract treatment significantly decreased the mNSS score and infarct volume (P<0.05, P<0.01). Herba siegesbeckiae extract could increase the number of Nissl-pos- itive cells and the expression of NeuN (P<0.01), and reduce the number of Tunel-positive cells (P<0.01). Western blot showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of Bax, increased Bcl-2 and NeuN in ischemic brain tissue (P<0.01). RT-qPCR showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of IL-1 β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the is-chemic brain tissue (P<0.01). Conclusions Herba siegesbeckiae extract can reduce the cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function damage, inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote the expression of NeuN, there by exerting protective effects on MCAO rats.