title: Puerarin ameliorates 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rats: possible neuromodulation and antioxidant mechanisms.
abstract: Puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside), a major isoflavone glycoside purified from Pueraria lobata, is well reported to have a neuroprotective effect primarily by the antioxidant mechanisms. This investigation was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Puerarin (Pur) to offset 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity. Male Wistar strain rats were given 3-NP (20 mg/kg, s.c.) over five consecutive days, whereas Pur (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was administrated 30 min before 3-NP. Rats treated with 3-NP exhibited significant weight loss, reduction of the prepulse inhibition, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. The striata, hippocampi and cortices of the 3-NP treated rats showed abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, oxidative damage and characteristic histopathological lesions. Treatment with Pur ahead of 3-NP, significantly prevented weight loss, PPI deficit, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. Pur treatment blocked the 3-NP-induced neurotransmitters abnormalities (GABA, DA, 5-HT and NE), and normalized the oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase). Histopathological examination further affirmed Pur's neuroprotective effect against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity. In conclusion, Pur protected the brain tissues from 3-NP induced neurotoxicity primarily by its neuromodulation and antioxidant effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Monazamet Al-Wehdah Al-Efrikeya St., Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt, hebamahdy111@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Heba M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mahdy
authors.forename: Mohamed R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Manal A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Emam
authors.forename: Amr M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: Ashraf B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Abdel-Naim
authors.forename: Amani E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Khalifa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011422:Propionates / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D007529:Isoflavones; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011422:Propionates; C015392:3-nitropropionic acid; C033607:puerarin