The neuroprotective effect of eupatilin against ischemia/reperfusion-induced delayed neuronal damage in mice.

Abstract

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from the Artemisia plant species, has been reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated whether eupatilin exhibits neuroprotective activities against ischemia/reperfusion-induced delayed neuronal injury in mice. Transient global cerebral ischemia was induced in mice by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 15 min followed by reperfusion for 4 days. Eupatilin (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered immediately after the reperfusion. Histochemical studies showed that eupatilin (10 mg/kg) increased the number of viable cells detected by Nissl staining and decreased the number of degenerating neuronal cells detected by Fluoro-Jade B staining in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blotting indicated that eupatilin further increased the level of Akt phosphorylation at 8h after BCCAO. Furthermore, wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, attenuated the eupatilin-induced increase of Akt phosphorylation. In addition, wortmannin completely reversed the eupatilin-induced neuroprotective effects observed at 4 days after reperfusion. These findings suggest that eupatilin is a promising therapeutic agent against global cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damage and that its neuroprotective effects may be mediated in part by increased Akt phosphorylation.

• Authors: Mudan Cai, Phuong-Thuy T Phan, Jin Gyu Hong, Dong Hyun Kim, Jong Min Kim, Se Jin Park, Xiaotong Liu, Jeong Eun Han, Haeil Park, Ji Woong Choi, Jong Hoon Ryu
• Journal: European journal of pharmacology (Eur J Pharmacol) Vol. 689 Issue 1-3 Pg. 104-10 (Aug 15 2012) ISSN: 1879-0712 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22683875 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Flavonoids
• Neuroprotective Agents
• eupatilin

Topics

• Animals
• Brain Ischemia (pathology, prevention & control)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Flavonoids (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Mice
• Neurons (drug effects, pathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Reperfusion Injury (pathology, prevention & control)
• Time Factors