title: Nepeta Dschuparensis BornmExtract Moderates COX-2 and IL-1β Proteins in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nepeta dschuparensis Bornm (NP)is used as a medicinal herb in Iran. In traditional medicine, this herb is extensively employed for curing ailments such as cardiovascular diseases.NPhas antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This project examined the effects of theNPextract on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) protein levels and its efficacy in neuroprotection in a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) sham (n=6): no middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) procedure, 2) control (n=10): MCAO procedure and treatment with normal saline, and 3)NPextract (n=10): MCAO procedure and treatment with theNPextract (20 mg/kg, i.p.) at the beginning of reperfusion. To examine the injury caused by cerebral ischemia, we measured motor coordination and the infarct area using the rotarod test and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, respectively. IL-1β and COX-2 protein levels, as inflammatory markers, were measured by immunoblotting assay. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 16, and the data are expressed as means±SEMs. Statistical difference was evaluated using the one-way ANOVA, followed by the post hoc LSD test (P<0.01).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with theNPextract significantly diminished the infarct volume and alleviated the motor coordination disorder induced by cerebral ischemia. TheNPextract administration significantly attenuated the increase in IL-1β and COX-2 protein levels too (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The beneficial effects of theNPextract are related to its ability to decrease the levels of IL-1β and COX-2.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza Mousavi
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nia
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Branch of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Taj Pari
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Kalantaripour
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vafaee
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asadi-Shekaari
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Sirjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eslami
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh Darvish
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Zadeh
keywords: Brain antioxidants; Cyclooxygenase 2; Hypoxia-Ischemia; Interleukin-1beta; Nepeta