The cerebral protective effect of a medicinal formulation in mice with ischemic/reperfusion induced brain injuries

ABSTRACT

An animal model to initiate anl oxidative stress in brain has been successfully applied in vitro condition. Temporary brain ischemia is conducted by two carotid arterie occlusion for 20 min. Then a reperfusion is followed for 20 min. aiming to produce oxidative damage. MDA measurements are used to assess the levels of brain damage and protective effects of studied extracts. One formulation for "activating the blood and clearing the obstruction" has been tested for the protective activity against the ischemia/repelfusion-induced injuries to brain. The extract was given to mice in doses of 200, 300 and 500mg/kg for 10 continuous days prior to the induction of brain ischemia. This application showed a remarkable protective effects by limiting the elevated MDA levels in brain homogenates, resulted from ischemia/reperfusion (P<0.001). Corresponding to the increased oxidative stress in ischemia/reperfusion, SOD activity (an antioxidant enzyme) was found to be reduced in this model, while the studied extract almostly reversed the decrease of SOD activity when it was given to mice in the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight