The neuroprotective effects of natural antioxidant against brain injury induced by paracetamol in a rat model of protein malnutrition

Masoud, Marwa A.; Kotb, Amr S.; Abd El-Raouf, Ola M.; Fikry, Ebtehal M.

doi:10.4103/epj.epj_54_19

The neuroprotective effects of natural antioxidant against brain injury induced by paracetamol in a rat model of protein malnutrition

Authors

Abstract

Background and objective
Apigenin (API), as flavonoid, is found in chamomile tea, parsley, celery, onions, lemon balm, and oranges. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective role of API against oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter abnormality induced by cumulative dose of paracetamol (PA) in a rat model of protein malnutrition.
Materials and methods
A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 150–200 g, were used in five groups. API (50 mg/kg, p.o., once daily for 1 week) was administered to low-protein-fed rats with PA (500 mg/kg, p.o, once)-induced brain injury.
Results and conclusion
API treatment obviously improved cerebral-reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde contents and also superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase activities. Additionally, it attenuated contents of serotonin, catecholamines, γ-aminobutyric acid, and cholinesterase activity. Moreover, API reduced the abnormal cerebral pathological lesions. Consequently, API has a protective effect on rat brain injury induced by both protein malnutrition and PA.

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