Neuroprotective Effect of Sterculia setigera Leaves Hydroethanolic Extract

AbstractPlants are a valuable source of information for pharmacological research and new drug discovery. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the leaves of the medicinal plantSterculia setigera. In vitro, the effect ofSterculia setigera leaves dry hydroethanolic extract (SSE) was tested on cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) survival when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), using the viability probe fluorescein diacetate (FDA), a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay, an immunocytochemical staining against Gap 43, and the quantification of the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, necrosis, or oxidative stress. In vivo, the effect of intraperitoneal (ip) injection of SSE was assessed on the developing brain of 8-day-old Wistar rats exposed to ethanol neurotoxicity by measuring caspase-3 activity on cerebellum homogenates, the expression of some genes in tissue extracts, the thickness of cerebellar cortical layers and motor coordination. In vitro, SSE protected CGN against H2O2 and 6-OHDA-induced cell death at a dose of 10  µg/mL, inhibited the expression of genesCasp3 andBad, and upregulated the expression ofCat andGpx7. In vivo, SSE significantly blocked the deleterious effect of ethanol by reducing the activity of caspase-3, inhibiting the expression ofBax andTp53, preventing the reduction of the thickness of the internal granule cell layer of the cerebellar cortex, and restoring motor function...
Source: Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research