Neuroprotective effects of onion extract and quercetin against ischemic neuronal damage in the gerbil hippocampus.
Onion has several well-known biological functionalities, including antioxidant effects, and contains quercetin (3,3',4,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a powerful antioxidant. In the present study, we observed neuroprotective effects of onion extract (OE) and its major component, quercetin, on ischemic damage in the gerbil hippocampus, which is related to memory function. Repeated treatment with 100 mg/kg OE and 20 mg/kg quercetin for 15 days before ischemic surgery protected pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region from ischemic damage. In the OE-treated ischemic group, gliosis (activation of astrocytes and microglia) was attenuated in the CA1 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, treatment with OE and quercetin decreased protein levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (a marker for lipid peroxidation) in the ischemic CA1. We suggest that repeated administration of OE and quercetin can protect against neuronal damage from transient cerebral ischemia.
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
In Koo
IK
Hwang
Choong Hyun
CH
Lee
Ki-Yeon
KY
Yoo
Jung Hoon
JH
Choi
Ok Kyu
OK
Park
Soon Sung
SS
Lim
Il-Jun
IJ
Kang
Dae Young
DY
Kwon
Jinseu
J
Park
Jae-Seon
JS
Yi
Young-Soo
YS
Bae
Moo-Ho
MH
Won
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005849:Gerbillinae; D005911:Gliosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019697:Onions / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000447:Aldehydes; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011794:Quercetin; C027576:4-hydroxy-2-nonenal