Neuroprotective effect of Hibiscus rosa sinensis in an oxidative stress model of cerebral post-ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.
BACKGROUND
The ischemic brain lesions induced in rats by temporary occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries and restoration of blood flow to an ischemic brain region is associated with generation of reactive oxygen species with consequent reperfusion injury.


OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. (Malvaceae) in a bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion model of global cerebral ischemic reperfusion.


METHODS
The animals underwent 30 min BCCA occlusion and 45 min reperfusion. The methanol extract of H. sinensis (100, 200, 300 mg/kg/day for 6 days, p.o.) was administered 30 min before induction of BCCA occlusion.


RESULTS
The bilateral common carotid artery occlusion resulted in increase in lipid peroxidation, and reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GSH) activity. The extract attenuated the ischemic reperfusion-induced increase in lipid peroxidation and fall in SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. The cerebral hypoperfusion caused a propensity towards anxiety and was accompanied by deficits of learning and memory. The extract ameliorated anxiety and there was improvement of learning and memory.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of H. sinensis prevented the oxidative stress and the biochemical changes associated with cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. The mechanism of such protection of H. sinensis may be due to cerebral adaptation, through augmentation of cellular antioxidants such as GSH, SOD and CAT. The results suggest the protective role of H. sinensis in ischemic reperfusion injury.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates the beneficial role of H. sinensis in cerebrovascular insufficiency states and dementia.
Nade
Vandana S
VS
M.V.P.S. College of Pharmacy, Gangapur Road, Shivaji Nagar, Nashik-422 002, Maharashtra, India. kawalevl@rediffmail.com
Kawale
Laxman A
LA
Dwivedi
Subhash
S
Yadav
Adhikrao V
AV
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D031584:Hibiscus; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione