Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of eucommia water extract on the apoptosis of neurons in rats with cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, eucommia water extract group and Ravoxertinib group, with 10 rats in each group. The cerebral cortex damage was determined by HE staining. The apoptosis of cerebral cortex cells was assayed by TUNEL staining. The levels of oxidative stress indexes [ superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), cysteine aspastic protease 3 (Caspase-3)] were measured by ELISA. The extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 / 2 (ERK1 / 2) signaling in cerebral cortex was detected by Western blotting. Results HE staining showed no obvious pathological changes of brain tissues in control group, but significant pathological damage of brain tissues in model group (P < 0. 05). Eucommia water extract group and Ravoxertinib could significantly relieve the damage of brain tissues (P < 0. 05). The apoptosis rate of neurons, the levels of Caspase-3 and MDA, and the expression levels of p-ERK1 / 2 / ERK1 / 2 and Bax were significantly increased and the level of SOD was significantly decreased in model group compared with the control group (P< 0. 05). These indexes were significantly reversed in eucommia water extract group and Ravoxertinib group as compared with the model group (P< 0. 05). There was no significant difference in the indexes between the eucommia water extract group and Ravoxertinib group (P > 0. 05). Conclusion Eucommia water extract can regulate biological behaviors of neurons and oxidative stress response in brain tissues by regulating ERK1 / 2 signaling pathways, thereby playing roles in the treatment of cerebral infarction in rats. 

Key words: cerebral infarction, eucommia water extract, neuron apoptosis