Neuroprotective effect of Panax ginseng extract against cerebral ischemia–reperfusion-injury-induced oxidative stress in middle cerebral artery occlusion models

Abstract

The present study investigated the in vivo neuroprotective role of Panax ginseng extract (PGE) pretreatment against transient cerebral ischemia in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Rats were randomly divided as follows: group I, control; group II, sham-operated; group III, where animals were subjected to MCAO surgery; and group IV, where animals were orally administered 10 mL PGE per day (200 mg/kg of body weight per day) for 30 d followed by MCAO induction at day 31. Following 24 h of reperfusion, blood and tissue (brain, liver, and kidney) samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological examination. Biochemical testing included lipid profile, liver enzymes, kidney function tests, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, and total protein estimation. Tissue antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione) were assessed in brain, liver, and kidney tissues. MCAO-induced histopathological changes were also examined in the tissues. Pretreatment with PGE showed significant improvement in tissue antioxidant status in brain, liver and kidney tissues. PGE treatment maintains plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes, kidney function, and CRP, LDH, and glucose levels. Histologically, monocytes and macrophage infiltration were observed in the tissues of MCAO animals, whereas PGE treatment preserved tissue architecture and minimal monocyte infiltration. PGE supplementation showed a neuroprotective effect against ischemia–reperfusion injury by effectively increasing endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• cerebral
• ginseng
• ischemia–reperfusion
• middle cerebral artery occlusion
• neuroprotective
• oxidative stress