4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol ameliorates cerebral injury in rats by antioxidant action.
4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA), one of the phenolic constituents found in many herbal medicinal plants, exhibits beneficial effects in neurological disorders. In the present study, we evaluated 4-HBA's role in transient cerebral ischemia and its potential mechanism. Pre-treatment with 4-HBA (50,100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the cerebral infarct size and improved the neurological symptoms. Morphological examinations showed 4-HBA reduced the number of degenerated neurons. Oxidative stress was evaluated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Anti-oxidative mechanisms were studied by Immunofluorescence staining and western immunoblot analysis. 4-HBA increased the expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) and ultimately inhibited oxidative stress. In addition, we evaluated the time course expression of NQO1, which was upregulated in the ischemic brain beginning at 1 h. Taken together, these results suggested that 4-HBA ameliorated cerebral injury in rats, This neuroprotective effect is likely related to its antioxidant activities.
Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Shan-Shan
SS
Yu
Jing
J
Zhao
Shi-Peng
SP
Lei
Xue-Mei
XM
Lin
Ling-Li
LL
Wang
Yong
Y
Zhao
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001592:Benzyl Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D001592:Benzyl Alcohols; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C018966:4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); C507703:NQO1 protein, rat