Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction promotes angiogenesis after cerebral ischaemia in rats via platelet microparticles

Platelet microparticles (PMPs) are membrane particles derived from the platelet membrane that enter into the blood circulation. We sought to explore the therapeutic effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction (THSWD) on angiogenesis in a rat model of cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R). The protective effect of THSWD on I/R rats was observed morphologically by immunohistochemical expression of VEGF and CD34, along with immunofluorescence results of co-expression of BrdU and vWF. Then, PMPs from different groups of rats were extracted, and cytokine array analysis was used to screen for angiogenesis associated proteins. The results showed that THSWD can promote the expression of VEGF, CD34, BrdU and vWF. Cytokine array analysis revealed the changes in the expression of 29 related angiogenic proteins in the total protein of PMPs, which involved the Notch signalling pathway. Compared with model group, the expression levels of NICD and Hes-1 in the THSWD group were significantly increased. In the context of I/R, the angiogenesis-related proteins of PMPs are different. THSWD may involve the promotion of activation of the Notch signalling pathway to achieve therapeutic effects on cerebral ischaemia.