Evaluation of the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of Dorema aucheri extract on cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats

摘要

Context: The hydroalcoholic extract of Dorema aucheri Bilhar (Umbelliferae) (DA) leaves, a medicinalplant, has powerful antioxidant properties.Objective: This study evaluates the neuroprotective effects of pre-treatment with DA leaves extractagainst cerebral ischaemia-induced brain injury through alteration of the antioxidant capacity.Materials and methods: The study was conducted in three groups of Wistar rats (N? 47) as follows;sham, control ischaemic and pre-treated ischaemic groups. Rats were administered a fresh hydroalcoholicextract of DA leaves at a dosage of 200 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Then, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) ofthe right hemisphere was occluded for 90 min to achieve cerebral ischaemia. After 24 h reperfusion, cerebralinfarction and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA),glutathione, and NOx contents were determined in the right hemispheres.Results: Occlusion of the right MCA caused noticeable cerebral infarction (298 ± 21 mm3) in controlischaemic group, but pre-treatment with DA extract considerably attenuated it (92 ± 14 mm3) in the pretreatedischaemic group. DA extract significantly decreased the levels of MDA by 28% and NOx by 11%in pre-treated ischaemic group compared to the control ischaemic group. DA extract also enhancedglutathione content by 7%, SOD activity by 16% and catalase activity by 46% in pre-treated ischaemicrats compared to control ischaemic rats.Discussion and conclusions: DA is able to improve the antioxidant capacity and injuries of ischaemicbrain. It is proposed as a neuroprotectant following cerebral ischaemia to decrease the injuries of ischaemicstroke.