title: Neuroprotective effect of the methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the Hibiscus asper Hook.f. (Malvaceae) is a traditional herb largely used in tropical region of the Africa as vegetable, potent sedative, tonic and restorative, anti-inflammatory and antidepressive drug, there is very little scientific data concerning the efficacy of this.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of the methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves (50 and 100 mg/kg) were assessed using superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) specific activities, total glutathione (GSH) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) level (lipid peroxidation) and DNA fragmentation assays in male Wistar rats subjected to unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves showed potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities. Chronic administration of the methanolic extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p., daily, for 7 days) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPX and CAT), total GSH content and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in rat temporal lobe homogenates, suggesting antioxidant activity. Also, DNA cleavage patterns were absent in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves, suggesting antiapoptotic activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, our results suggest that the methanolic extract of Hibiscus asper leaves possesses neuroprotective activity against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities in Parkinson's disease model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Bd. Carol I, No.11 20A, Iasi 700506, Romania. hritcu@uaic.ro
authors.forename: Lucian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hritcu
authors.forename: Harquin Simplice
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Foyet
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stefan
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihasan
authors.forename: Acha Emmanuel
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Asongalem
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamtchouing
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016627:Oxidopamine; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D016627:Oxidopamine; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D000432:Methanol