Neuroprotective effect of osthole against acute ischemic stroke on middle cerebral ischemia occlusion in rats

Osthole a natural coumarin derivative has taken considerable attention because of its diverse pharmacological functions It has been reported to be useful in the treatment of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and neuronal damage In the present study we examined the neuroprotective effect of osthole and its potential mechanisms against acute ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats The rats were pretreated with osthole 10 20 and 40 mg/kg 30 mm before MCAO The neuroprotective effect of osthole against acute ischemic stroke was evaluated by neurological deficit score (NDS) dry-wet weight and 2,3 5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the level of interleukin (IL) 1 beta and IL 8 after 2 h of MCAO in rats were detected to investigate its ant oxidative action and ant inflammatory property Pretreatment with osthole significantly increased in GSH and decreased the volume of infarction, NDS edema, MDA, MPO IL 113 and IL 8 compared with rats in the MCAO group at 24 h after MCAO The study suggests the neuroprotective effect of osthole in the MCAO model of rats The ant oxidative action and ant inflammatory property of osthole may contribute to a beneficial effect against stroke (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved