Nepeta dschuparensis bornm extract moderates COX-2 and IL-1[beta] proteins in a rat model of cerebral ischemia

Background: Nepeta dschuparensis Bornm [NP] is used as a medicinal herb in Iran. In traditional medicine, this herb is extensively employed for curing ailments such as cardiovascular diseases. NP has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This project examined the effects of the NP extract on cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and interleukin-1 +/- [IL-1 +/- ] protein levels and its efficacy in neuroprotection in a cerebral ischemiareperfusion model

Methods: Twenty-six male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1] sham [n=6]: no middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO] procedure, 2] control [n=10]: MCAO procedure and treatment with normal saline, and 3] NP extract [n=10]: MCAO procedure and treatment with the NP extract [20 mg/kg, i.p.] at the beginning of reperfusion. To examine the injury caused by cerebral ischemia, we measured motor coordination and the infarct area using the rotarod test and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, respectively. IL-1 +/- and COX-2 protein levels, as inflammatory markers, were measured by immunoblotting assay. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 16, and the data are expressed as means +/- SEMs. Statistical difference was evaluated using the one-way ANOVA, followed by the post hoc LSD test [P<0.01]

Results: Treatment with the NP extract significantly diminished the infarct volume and alleviated the motor coordination disorder induced by cerebral ischemia. The NP extract administration significantly attenuated the increase in IL-1 +/- and COX-2 protein levels too [P<0.01]

Conclusion: The beneficial effects of the NP extract are related to its ability to decrease the levels of IL-1 +/- and COX-2

Neuroprotectives in acute ischemic stroke, hope or hype?

Stroke is a significant public health burden which absolutely requires more effective therapies. The approved treatment options for stroke including tissue plasminogen activators, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants mainly bear antithrombotic effects. Meanwhile, evolving investigational approaches such as collateral therapeutics and neuroprotective agents has thus far been attempted with equivocal effects on stroke outcome. The basic structural and ultrastructural changes following acute ischemic stroke should be well-considered when trying to target oxidative stress and cell death pathways using neuroprotective agents. Clearly, the positive results of preclinical studies on neuroprotectives and collateral therapeutics in stroke do not necessarily translate to the true clinical benefits of these agents. As such, several large advance-phased trials have already failed to prove so. On the other hand, controversial results in clinical setting should not discourage further research endeavors on the same. Besides, the concurrent use of flow augmentation and neuroprotectives may serve further clinical benefits. Based on the available evidence, it appears that optimization of preclinical studies and further well-designed prospective clinical trials let neuroprotection possibly find its position in stroke management. The present paper discusses key preclinical and clinical studies on neuroprotectives towards improved outcome in acute ischemic stroke

effects of nigella sativa hydro-alcoholic extract on memory and brain tissues oxidative damage after repeated seizures in rats

Regarding the therapeutic properties of Nigella sativa [NS], the effects of the plant hydro–alcoholic extract on learning, memory and brain tissues oxidative damage were investigated in penthylenetetrazole [PTZ]-induced repeated seizures. There were 4 experimental groups including: 1- control group; received saline, 2- PTZ group; received saline and PTZ [50 mg/Kg, i.p], 3- PTZ-NS 200 and 4- PTZ-NS 400 ; received 200 and 400 mg/Kg of NS extract respectively, before PTZ injection in 5 consecutive days. Seizure scores were lower in PTZ–NS 200 and 400, furthermore the seizure onset latencies were higher in these groups than PTZ group [P<0.05 and P<0.01]. In Morris water maze, the time spent in target quadrant by PTZ group was lower than control group [P<0.05]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.01]. In the passive avoidance test, delay time to enter the dark by PTZ group was lower than control at 1 and 24 hours after training [P<0.01 - P<0.001]; while, 400 mg/Kg of the extract increased it [P<0.05]. The total thiol concentration in hippocampal and cortical tissues of PTZ group was reduced while, MDA concentration was higher than control [p<0.05 - p<0.001]. Administration of the extract increased the total thiol and decreased the MDA concentrations [p<0.01 - p<0.001]. It is concluded that the hydro-alcoholic extract of NS possess beneficial effects on learning and memory impairments in repeated seizures model which is accompanied by antioxidant effects in the brain

The Effects of Soy Extract on Spatial Learning and Memory Damage Induced by Global Ischemia in Ovariectomised Rats

Background: The effects of soy extract on memory as well as the oxidative damage to brain tissue induced by ischemia was investigated in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. Methods: The rats were divided into: 1) Sham; 2) OVX; 3) Sham‑Ischemia; 4) OVX‑Ischemia; 5) OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20; and 6) OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60. The common carotid artery was occluded (30 minutes), and it was then re-‑perfused. The OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20 and OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60 groups received 20 or 60 mg/kg of soy extract for eight weeks before the ischemia. Results: The Sham-‑Ischemia and OVX-‑Ischemia groups took a longer time to reach the platform while, spent a shorter time in the target quadrant (Q1) than the Sham and OVX. The escape latencies in the OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 20 and OVX-‑Ischemia-‑S 60 groups were lower while, time spent in the Q1 was higher than that of the OVX-‑Ischemia. In the rotarod test, there were no significant differences between the groups. The hippocampal concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the Sham-‑Ischemia and OVX-‑Ischemia groups were higher than the Sham and OVX. Pre-‑treatment by 20 and 60 mg/kg of the extract reduced the MDA. Conclusion: It is suggested that soy prevents memory impairment and brain tissue oxidative damage due to ischemia in OVX rats.