Fig. 4. VEGF-PI3K/AKT and VEGF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathways were activated by catalpol in the brain of cerebral ischemic rats.

a–h The fluorescence intensity of VEGF, Paxillin, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2 was significantly increased in catalpol groups. i–m The production of VEGF downstream proteins was significantly up-regulated by catalpol on day 14. Scale bar, 100 μm (a, c, d) and 50 μm (b). The data are presented as the mean ± S.D., n = 8, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.