Prevention of hexachlorocyclohexane-induced neuronal oxidative stress by natural antioxidants

Objective: Decalepis hamiltonii roots are traditionally consumed as general vitalizer and used in ayurvedic medicine preparations. We have isolated/characterized potent antioxidants from the aqueous extract of the root of this plant. In this study, we examined the antioxidant potential of the aqueous extract of the roots of D. hamiltonii (DHAE) against hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-induced oxidative stress in four major regions of the rat brain. Methods: The antioxidant activity of the standardized DHAE with known antioxidant constituents was tested against HCH-induced oxidative stress in the major brain regions of 60-day-old adult male Wistar rats. Results: Pretreatment of rats with multiple doses of DHAE, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), for 7 consecutive days significantly prevented the HCH-induced (single dose -500 mg/kg b.w.) increase in lipid peroxidation, reduction in glutathione, and altered antioxidant enzyme activities viz. superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase in major rat brain regions viz. cortex, cerebellum, midbrain, and brain stem. DHAE, per se, elevated the antioxidant status of the rat brain. Discussion: DHAE shows protective action against HCH-induced oxidative stress in rat brain regions. The protective effect of DHAE could be ascribed to the isolated/characterized antioxidant compounds which could be prospective novel nutraceuticals.