Neuroprotective effects of leaf extract in a mice model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated possible neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extract of leaf against cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Sham + 10% Tween 80, (2) bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) + 10% Tween 80, (3) BCCAO + 300 mg/kg, (4) BCCAO + 600 mg/kg and (5) BCCAO + quercetin 10 mg/kg. Cerebral ischemic-reperfusion (IR) was induced by 30 min of BCCAO followed by 45 min of reperfusion. After IR induction, total brain protein, calcium, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as brain infraction and histopathological changes in vulnerable brain areas, such as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results showed that 2 weeks of pretreatment with leaf extract at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg significantly reduced calcium and MDA, but increased GSH and SOD and CAT activities. The extract significantly attenuated brain infarction and neuronal death in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of leaf extract against cerebral IR injury in mice.