J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 2(Suppl. 1): S68, 2014
Special supplement with the abstract book of LATINFARMA 2013
Conference
C 024: Achyrocline satureioides (LAM) D.C. (MARCELA): PROTECTIVE EFFECTS IN PRIMARY NEURONAL CULTURES AND AGAINST AN ISCHEMIC INJURY IN VIVO
Rivera F, Echeverry C, Arredondo F, Abin-Carriquiry JA, Martínez M, Dajas F.
Abstract
Introduction: Achyrocline satureioides (AS) is a South American plant widely used in popular medicine. Experimental studies have confirmed its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects mainly due to its high content of polyphenols. In this work we evaluated the protective effects of an AS decoction (2%) in primary neuronal cultures against an oxidative injury and against an ischemic process in rats in vivo.
Methods: Dried flowers of AS were used for the preparation of the decoction. Primary cerebellar granule neurons in culture (DIV 7) were treated for 24h with AS decoction and subsequently exposed to an oxidative insult with H2O2 160 uM for 24h. MTT assay was used to analyze cell survival after the treatment. For in vivo assays, Sprague Dawley rats (250-350 g) were divided in 4 experimental groups (sham, ischemia, AS alone, and AS + ischemia) (n = 6/group). Animals were pre-treated with water or AS decoction for 7, 14 or 21 days followed by 24h of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Consumption of food and AS decoction/water of the rats was evaluated daily and weight gain was monitored weekly. To assess functional deficits a behavioral test was performed, and cerebral damage was evidenced by TTC tetrazolium salt.
Results: AS (5 ug/mL total polyphenols) pre-treatment in neuronal cultures showed protective effects against H2O2 injury. AS pretreatment prevented the functional deficit caused by ischemic injury in all groups. Furthermore, AS pre-treatment for 21 days significantly decreased the infarction volume.
Conclusions: AS decoction (2%) pre-treatment showed protective effects against both oxidative injury in primary neuronal cultures, and in vivo ischemic brain injury. Its high polyphenolic content could explain such protective effects, mainly due to the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties described for these compounds.