Neuroprotective effect of Puerariae Radix extract on focal cerebral ischemia in mice

ABSTRACT Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Pueraria lobata extract on focal cerebral ischemia in mice.Methods : Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right m iddle cerebral artery using the intraluminal filament model. ICR male mice underwent 90 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Mice were administered Pueraria lobata extract orally at the dose of 300mg/kg just prior to reperfusion. Rotarod test and balance beam test were practiced to assess sensory-motor function 23 hours after MCAo. In rotarod test, the latency to fall on the accelerating rotarod was recorded for 5 min. In balance beam test, the score was graded according to number of slips and latency to cross. The infarct volume was measured 24 hours after MCAo using 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining.Results : Pueraria lobata extract treated group showed significant reduction in infarct volume by 27.3% compared to control group ( p<0.05). In rotatod test, it also showed significant extension o f latency time compared to control group (67.82±15.08 vs. 5.62±1.06, p<0.001). In contrast to performance in rotarod test, that in balance beam test did not improve with Pueraria lobata extract treatment.Conclusions : We conclude that Pueraria lobata extract has a significant neuroprotective effect and reduces damage of sensory-motor function in MCAo model. These findings suggest that Pueraria lobata could be a potent neuroprotective agent.Key words : Pueraria lobata, neuroprotection, Middle cerebral artery occlusion, rotarod te st, balance beam test