Anti-ischemic activities of aralia cordata and its active component, oleanolic acid.
Aralia has been reported to exhibit various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. We performed in vitro and in vivo analyses on the neuroprotective effects of an ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Aralia cordata Thunb. (Araliaceae). In cultured cortical neurons from rats, A. cordata (5-20 microg/mL) inhibited 100 muM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced apoptotic neuronal death, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since oleanolic acid isolated from A. cordata also inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced neuronal death, increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and ROS generation in cultured cortical neurons, some of the neuroprotective effects of A. cordata might be attributable to this compound. In rats, A. cordata prevented cerebral ischemic injury induced by 3 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Ischemic infarct and edema volumes were significantly reduced in rats that received A. cordata (50 mg/kg, orally). These animals exhibited a corresponding improvement in neurological function and a reduction of neuronal death, as determined histologically from the cortex and hippocampal regions. It is possible that the anti-oxidative properties of A. cordata may be responsible for its neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemic injury. In future, A. cordata might play a therapeutic role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegeneration in stroke.
Cho
Soon Ock
SO
College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea.
Ban
Ju Yeon
JY
Kim
Joo Youn
JY
Ju
Hyun Soo
HS
Lee
Ik Soo
IS
Song
Kyung-Sik
KS
Bae
Kihwan
K
Seong
Yeon Hee
YH
D000818:Animals; D027983:Aralia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002118:Calcium