OBJECTIVE: To probe into the protective effects of saffron combined with levobutylphthalide on ischemic brain injury in rats. METHODS: Forty healthy and clean Wistar male rats were selected to establish the ischemic brain injury model and divided into the model group

levobutylphthalide group

combined group and sham surgery group

with 10 cases in each group. Rats in the levobutylphthalide group were given 40 mg/kg gavage intervention

the combined group was intraperitoneally injected with 40 mg/kg saffron on the basis of the levobutylphthalide group

the sham surgery group and model group received equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution intervention. Neurological function

blood brain barrier（BBB） permeability and brain tissue moisture capacity were compared. The brain histopathology and neural apoptosis were observed

and the brain tissue oxidative stress related indicators

Nogo-66

NgR and neurofilament protein（NFP） expression were detected. RESULTS: The neurological function

SOD and CAT levels of rats in the model group

levobutylphthalide group and combined group were lower than those in the sham surgery group

BBB permeability

brain tissue moisture capacity

number of neuronal apoptosis and MDA levels were higher than those in the sham surgery group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. The neurological function

SOD and CAT levels of levobutylphthalide group and combined group were higher than those of the model group

while BBB permeability

brain tissue moisture capacity

number of neuronal apoptosis and MDA levels were lower than those of the model group

the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. The neurological function

SOD and CAT levels of the combined group were higher than those of the levobutylphthalide group

while BBB permeability

brain tissue moisture capacity

number of neuronal apoptosis and MDA levels were lower than those of the levobutylphthalide group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. The expression of NFP in the model group

levobutylphthalide group and combined group was lower than that in the sham surgery group

while the expression of Nogo-66 and NgR was higher than that in the sham surgery group; the expression of NFP in the levobutylphthalide group and combined group was higher than that in the model group

while the expression of Nogo-66 and NgR was lower than that in the model group; the expression of NFP in the combined group was higher than that in the levobutylphthalide group

and the expression of Nogo-66 and NgR was lower than that in the levobutylphthalide group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric administration of saffron combined with levobutylphthalide can protect the neurological function of rats and alleviate the oxidative stress injury

and the mechanism of action is related to the regulation of Nogo-66

NGR and NFP.