Neuroprotective Effect of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Total Flavonoids in Transient Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Yaxuan Sun
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Foods, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100191, China and Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences,730000 Lanzhou, China.
Ting Liu
School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, China.
Xueling Dai
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Foods, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100191, China.
Zhaofen Jiang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Foods, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100191, China.
Zhaolan Gao
Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Foods, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100191, China.
Mei Zhang
School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, China.
Dong Wang *
Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.
Qiusheng Zheng *
School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, China.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of Dracocephalum moldavica L. total flavonoids (DMTF) on cerebral oxidative stress and damage as well as apoptosis induced by transient cerebral ischemia in rats.
Methodology: Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, sham group, DMTF high, middle, low dose groups (50, 25, 12.5 mg/kg). Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h, followed by 22 h reperfusion. The reduced glutathione/ oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) contents were determined. The neuron apoptosis was measured by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. At last, the neurological deficit was observed.
Results: Transient cerebral ischemia led to significant depress in GSH/GSSG ratio, depletion in antioxidant enzyme activities, rise in MDA, protein carbonyl, 8-OHdG contents, neuron apoptosis and neurological deficit scores. Pre-treatment with DMTF obviously attenuated the brain oxidative stress and damage, apoptosis and neurological deficits.
Conclusion: These findings suggested that DMTF has neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury which might be related to its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis activity.
Keywords: Dracocephalum moldavica L., total flavonoids, transient cerebral ischemia, oxidative stress, antioxidant, neuroprotection