Experimental research on the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with Yichantang

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease （PD） with Yichantang. Methods: A PD rat model was made and a normal control group, a normal saline control group and a Yichantang group were set up to observe changes in the rats’ behavior pattern and the cerebral black substance cells. Using the technique of intracerebral dialysis, the content of monoamine substances in the ECF was measured by means of HPL and changes in the affinity and quantity of M and DA receptors were measured. Results: Yichantang markedly improved the rats’ rotation while enhancing the Bmax and KD of DA and M receptors in the brain tissues on the lesioned side. The levels of DOPAC, HVA, DA and 5-HT in the ECF of caudate nucleus and shell nucleus on the lesioned side were significantly lower than those on the unlesioned side. The treatment resulted in a marked difference from the normal saline group （i>P＜0.01）. Besides, the quantity of cerebral black substance cells significantly increased and the volume and structure of the neurons and intracellular Golgi complex and mitochondria were close to normal. Conclusion: Yichantang can increase the affinity and sensitivity of DA and M receptors by stimulating the receptor system of the PD model rats, help the striate body of the black substance on the lesioned side to secret CA substances, and facilitate the repair of the lesioned black substance cells, providing experimental basis for the clinical treatment of PD.