Amelioration of cognitive, motor and endogenous defense functions with silymarin, piracetam and protocatechuic acid in the cerebral global ischemic rat model.

AIMS: The neuroprotective activities of silymarin, piracetam and protocatechuic acid ethyl ester (PCA) on cerebral global ischemic/reperfusion were evaluated in a rat model. MAIN METHODS: A midline ventral incision was made in the throat region. The right and left common carotid arteries were located and a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) was performed for 30min using atraumatic clamps followed by a 24h period of reperfusion. Neurological/behavioral functions (cognitive and motor), endogenous defense systems (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), reduced water content and infarct size and histopathological alterations were then studied. KEY FINDINGS: Silymarin and PCA treatments significantly improved cognitive, motor and endogenous defense functions, histopathological alterations, and, reduced both water content and infarct size compared to the vehicle-treated ischemic control group. Piracetam treatment improved neurological and histopathological alterations, reduced water content and infarct size, but failed to restore/prevent the impaired endogenous defense functions significantly. SIGNIFICANCE: Silymarin showed better neuroprotection than piracetam and PCA in experimentally induced global ischemic/reperfusion and was able to facilitate mnemonic performance.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of protocatechuic acid in rats and mice.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of protocatechuic acid (PCA), a natural product, was evaluated in different rat models (viz., carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and Freund's adjuvant arthritis) of inflammation and chemical and heat induced mouse models of pain. Treatment with PCA inhibited significantly different biological parameters like hind paw oedema, granuloma exudates formation and arthritis index in carrageenan oedema, cotton pellet granuloma and Freund's adjuvant arthritis, respectively. The biochemical changes viz., glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid peroxidation and NO in oedematous or in liver tissues and serum alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase occurred during different types of inflammation were either significantly restored or inhibited with PCA pretreatment. Present experimental findings demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of PCA which is comparable with that of standard drugs used.

Antioxidant activity of DHC-1--a herbal formulation.

DHC-1, a multiherbal formulation, was tested for its antioxidant activity in rats. DHC-1 was investigated at dose levels of 100 mg/kg, p.o. and 200 mg/kg, p.o., once daily, for 30 days in normal rats. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, membrane bound enzymes like Ca2+ ATPase, Mg2+ ATPase, Na+K+ ATPase, lipids like phospholipid, cholesterol, triglyceride and total proteins were estimated in liver, kidneys and heart. Liver glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G-6-P-D) was also determined. The serum levels of GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin were also estimated. The decrease in the serum enzymes may be due to the membrane stabilising action of DHC-1. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) along with reduced GSH by DHC-1 may be attributed to the antioxidant potential of various ingredients present in the formulation. Thus, it can be concluded that DHC-1 exhibits an antioxidant activity and could prove beneficial in the treatment of various disorders associated with the involvement of reactive oxygen species.