Neuroprotective effects of Fructus Chebulae extracts on experimental models of cerebral ischemia

Abstract Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Fructus Chebulae extract using both in vivo and in vitro models of cerebral ischemia. Methods As an in vitro model, oxygen glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD-R) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) induced cellular damage in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells was used to investigate the neuroprotective effects of extract of Fructus Chebulae. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to calculate cell survival. For in vivo , occlusion of left middle cerebral artery on rats was carried out as a focal cerebral ischemic model. Results Fructus Chebulae extract increases the PC12 cell survival against OGD-R and H 2 O 2 by 68% and 91.4% respectively. Fructus Chebulae also decreases the cerebral infarct volume by 39% and extent of hemisphere swelling from 17% in control group to 10% in Fructus Chebulae treated group. Conclusion Fructus Chebulae , as a traditional medicine, can rescue the neuronal cell death against ischemia related damage. The possible mechanism for the neuroprotection might be the inhibition of oxidative damages occurring after acute phase of cerebral ischemia.