Aim: The aim of this article is Hydroalcoholic extract of Dorema aucheri leaves prevents weakening of the brain antioxidant defense system and inhibits oxidative damage in rat model of ischemic stroke
Introduction: The production of free radicals is the principal mechanism of brain injury in ischemic stroke. The present study tried to identify whether pretreatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Dorema aucheri (DA) leaves potentiates the brain antioxidant system and decreases brain infarction and oxidative damage during cerebral ischemia–reperfusion.
Methods: Three groups of rats were randomly selected (each group; n=12); sham, control ischemic and ischemic pretreatment groups. Treated rats received freshly hydroalcoholic extract of DA (200mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Then, cerebral ischemia–reperfusion was achieved by 90minutes middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by 24h reperfusion. Infarct volume and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione and nitrate (NOx) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were assessed after 24h reperfusion
Results: The contents of MDA and nitrate significantly increased in the ischemic hemispheres by 34% and 14%, respectively. Brain ischemia decreased the glutathione content (20%) and activities of catalase (38%) and SOD (14%) in ischemic hemispheres compared to sham rats. Treatment with DA before MCA occlusion significantly decreased the infarction in cortex and striatum by 63% and 75%, respectively, compared to control. DA considerably reduced the contents of MDA and nitrate in ischemic hemispheres by 28% and 11%, respectively, compared to control rats. Treatment with DA also increased the glutathione content (7%) and activities of catalase (46%) and SOD (16%) of ischemic hemispheres.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that pretreatment with hydroalcoholic extract of DA leaves prevents weakening of the brain antioxidant defense system and decreases the brain damage during cerebral ischemia–reperfusion.