title: Neuroprotective effect of allicin against traumatic brain injury via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities.
abstract: Allicin, one of the main biologically active compounds derived from garlic, has been shown to exert various anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro and in vivo studies. Here, we sought to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of allicin against traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. We found that allicin treatment (10 and 50mg/kg, not 1mg/kg) significantly reduced brain edema and motor functional deficits, as well as apoptotic neuronal cell death in injured cortex. These protective effects could be observed even if the administration was delayed to 4h after injury. Moreover, allicin treatment decreased the expression levels of MDA and protein carbonyl, preserved the endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines. The results of Western blot analysis showed that allicin increased the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Blocking Akt/eNOS pathway activation by specific inhibitor LY294002 (10μL, 10mmol/L) or L-NIO (0.5mg/kg) partly reversed the protective effects of allicin and its anti-inflammatory activities. The allicin induced anti-oxidative activity was partly prevented by LY294002, but not L-NIO. In summary, our data strongly suggested that allicin treatment at an appropriate dose can exert protective effect against TBI through Akt/eNOS pathway-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Institution of Xi'an Blood Bank, Shannxi Blood Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Qi
authors: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Feng
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors: Mao-de
authors: MD
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors: Gang
authors: G
authors: Bao
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
authors: Tuo
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
authors: Mu
authors: M
authors: Xiang
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China. Electronic address: xijiaodaxiewanfu@163.com.
authors: Wan-Fu
authors: WF
authors: Xie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D004220:Disulfides; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D009952:Ornithine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002867:Chromones; D004220:Disulfides; D009025:Morpholines; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C085911:2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; C065027:N(G)-iminoethylornithine; C006452:allicin; D009952:Ornithine; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
keywords: Akt; Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; Inflammatory cytokines; Traumatic brain injury