复方中药提取物对训练大鼠不同状态下脑组织自由基代谢的影响

目的:为探讨"复方中药提取物"对训练大鼠脑组织自由基代谢和抗氧化系统能力的影响及机制。方法:选取105只健康Wistar大鼠,随机分为3组(n=35):对照组(N)、训练组(T)和训练服药组(TM)。适应性喂养1周后,训练组和训练服药组递增时间游泳训练8周。9周后将3组大鼠分别于安静状态、定量负荷、力竭即刻、力竭恢复12 h、力竭恢复24 h状态下处死。测定上述3组大鼠脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)含量,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、还原性谷胱甘肽(GSH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)活性。结果:五种状态下,训练组和训练服药组MDA含量均不同程度低于对照组,训练服药组低于训练组,训练组和训练服药组GSH-Px、GSH、SOD、T-AOC活性不同程度的高于对照组,训练服药不同程度高于训练组。结论:"复方中药提取物"可降低不同功能状态下训练大鼠脑组织中的MDA含量,提高其脑组织GSH-PX、GSH、SOD、T~AOC活性。     

补充谷氨酰胺对急性应激大鼠脑组织GSH、SOD和MDA含量的影响

目的：探讨谷氨酰胺对急性应激大鼠脑组织的抗氧化保护作用。方法：灌服Gln大鼠力竭性游泳后2h,检测其脑组织中谷胱甘肽(GSH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果：补充Gln大鼠力竭游泳后脑组织MDA含量显著下降。结论：补充Gln有助于减轻脑组织中的脂质过氧化反应。     

美洲大蠊提取物对力竭运动大鼠心血管氧化损伤的保护作用

目的:通过美洲大蠊提取物(PAE)对力竭运动大鼠心肌自由基代谢的影响,探讨其对心肌氧化损伤的保护作用。方法:雄性SPF级健康SD大鼠40只,随机分为安静组、运动组、美洲大蠊提取物安静组、美洲大蠊提取物运动组(n=10)。服药组每天灌服2 ml美洲大蠊提取物(美洲大蠊提取物按50 mg/kg配制,溶于2 ml蒸馏水中灌胃给药),对照组每次灌蒸馏水2 ml。每天灌胃1次,连续灌胃14 d后,美洲大蠊提取物运动组与运动组大鼠进行一次性力竭游泳运动建立力竭模型,记录大鼠力竭运动时间。力竭运动结束时即刻取样,检测血清中丙二醛(MDA)含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,并检测观察心肌组织中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)基因的表达情况。结果:与安静组相比,一次力竭游泳后,运动组心肌SOD、GSH-Px的活性明显降低(P0.01),而MDA含量显著升高(P0.01);而美洲大蠊提取物能够显著提高力竭SD大鼠的心肌SOD、GSH-Px的活性(P0.01),降低MDA含量(P0.01),e Nos基因表达增高。结论:大鼠力竭运动后心肌会发生氧化损伤,美洲大蠊提取物干预后能够增加力竭运动后大鼠心肌的抗氧化能力,对力竭运动所致心肌损伤具有一定的保护作用,进而增强大鼠运动能力。     

连翘叶提取物对力竭及恢复小鼠脑组织抗氧化酶活性和LDH同工酶的影响

为研究连翘叶提取物(FSE)对力竭及恢复小鼠脑组织SOD、POD、MDA和LDH同工酶的影响,用分光光度法测定小鼠脑组织MDA含量及SOD和POD活性,用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析LDH同工酶。结果表明,FSE可以提高力竭状态下小鼠脑组织SOD和POD活性,降低力竭及恢复状态下小鼠脑组织MDA的含量;FSE还可以降低力竭状态下脑组织LDH活性,提高恢复状态下小鼠脑组织LDH4-5的活性;FSE对对力竭运动状态下的脑组织有保护作用,对延缓运动中枢疲劳有积极的作用。     

红景天苷对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制

目的:探讨红景天苷(Sal)对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:将24只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为健康对照组、模型组、Sal[按体重1g/(kg·d)]干预组。采用Morris水迷宫方法检测大鼠学习记忆功能变化,并检测大鼠脑组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)相应的比酶活力及含量变化。结果:(1)模型组大鼠寻找平台的潜伏期明显长于对照组,具有统计学意义(P<0.05),Sal组寻找平台的潜伏期相对于模型组显著缩短(P<0.05)。撤离平台后,模型组大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05),Sal治疗后大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间较模型组显著延长(P<0.05)。(2)模型组SOD、GSH、GSH-PX显著下降,MDA明显增高,Sal干预组SOD、GSH、GSH-PX明显增高,而MDA显著下降,有统计学差异(P<0.05)结论:Sal可减轻癫痫持续状态所致的认知功能障碍,其可能机制是通过减轻海马区氧化应激减轻海马区的损伤,进而改善认知功能。     

蝮蛇粉不同配伍方对老龄小鼠体内抗氧化的影响

目的研究蝮蛇粉不同配伍方对老龄小鼠体内抗氧化酶活性的影响。方法将10月龄ICR雄性小鼠按4%溶血液中丙二醛(MDA)水平随机分为蝮蛇粉(78mg/kg)组、蝮蛇粉+姜黄提取物(52+15.6mg/kg)组、蝮蛇粉+姜黄提取物+茶多酚(52+15.6+65mg/kg)组、阴性对照组,每组10只。各组灌胃给予相应药物,阴性对照组给予相应溶剂,每天1次,连续给药30天。采用试剂盒法检测4%溶血液中MDA水平、全血中谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、血清中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和蛋白质羰基含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力变化。结果与阴性对照组比较,其余各组小鼠4%溶血液中MDA水平显著降低,全血中GSH含量增加,血清蛋白质羰基含量明显降低、T-AOC含量和SOD活力显著提升(P0.05,P0.01);与蝮蛇粉组比较,蝮蛇粉+姜黄提取物组小鼠4%溶血液中MDA水平显著降低,全血中GSH含量增加,血清蛋白质羰基含量明显降低、T-AOC含量和SOD活力显著提升(P0.05,P0.01);与蝮蛇粉+姜黄提取物+茶多酚组比较,蝮蛇粉+姜黄提取物组小鼠各指标变化无明显差异。结论蝮蛇粉与姜黄提取物合用可有效改善老龄小鼠体内抗氧化能力,可起到延缓衰老作用。     

辐射所致小鼠肾脏氧化损伤及川芎嗪的保护作用

目的:研究川芎嗪对辐射所致小鼠肾脏氧化损伤的预防和治疗作用。方法:采用60Co-γ射线5 Gy全身单次照射小鼠造模,在照射前和照射后分别于每天腹腔注射川芎嗪130 mg/kg,连续给药10 d,进行预防和治疗,并设对照组,观察肾组织中丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)及总抗氧化力(T-AOC)的变化。结果:与阴性对照组比较,照射可显著增加肾组织中MDA的含量(P<0.05),降低SOD、CAT的活性(P<0.05),升高GSH-Px活性(P<0.05),降低GSH含量(P<0.05),使肾组织T-AOC下降(P<0.05),。与照射组比较,给予川芎嗪预防和治疗后,均可降低肾组织MDA含量(P<0.05),升高肾组织T-AOC(P<0.05),且治疗组优于预防组,与阴性对照组无显著性差异。同时,预防组可使SOD活性和GSH含量升高(P<0.05),治疗组可使SOD和CAT活性增高(P<0.05),但均对GSH-Px活性无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论:川芎嗪具有很好的抗氧化作用,无论预防和治疗均可降低辐射所致小鼠肾脏的氧化应激损伤,并且治疗效果优于预防效果。     

维生素E 对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制

目的:探讨维生素E(VitE)对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:将30只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为健康对照组、单纯致痫组(SE组)、VitE[按体重100mg/(kg.d)]干预组(VitE组)。采用Morris水迷宫实验方法检测致癫后大鼠学习记忆功能变化,同时检测脑组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)的水平。结果:(1)SE组大鼠寻找平台的潜伏期明显长于对照组,具有统计学意义(P<0.05),VitE组寻找平台的潜伏期相对于SE组显著缩短(P<0.05)。撤离平台后,SE组大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05),VitE治疗后大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间较SE组显著延长(P<0.05)。(2)SE组SOD、GSH-PX、GSH显著下降,MDA明显增高,VitE干预组SOD、GSH-PX、GSH显著增高,而MDA明显下降,具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:VitE可改善癫痫持续状态后大鼠认知功能,其可能机制是通过减轻海马区的氧化应激反应减轻海马区的损伤,从而实现改善认知功能。     

玉米胚SOD提取物对糖尿病大鼠血糖、血脂及血清氧化应激状态的影响

目的:探讨玉米胚SOD提取物对于糖尿病大鼠血糖及主要脏器抗氧化能力的影响.方法:成年雄性Wistar大鼠36只,随机分为以下6组:1)正常对照组;2)糖尿病模型组:腹腔注射四氧嘧啶175mg/kg,连续两天;3)二甲基双胍对照组:糖尿病模型+灌服10mg/kg盐酸二甲基双胍;4)SOD高剂量组:糖尿病模型+灌服0.3gSOD提取物;5)SOD中剂量组:糖尿病模型+灌服0.18g SOD提取物;6)SOD低剂量组:糖尿病模型+灌服0.06g SOD提取物.连续3周,动态监测血糖,血清总胆固醇和甘油三酯.45天后处死动物,提取血清,采用硫代巴比妥酸法测定脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量;DTNB法测定还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量;黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力.结果:不同剂量的玉米胚SOD提取物对四氧嘧啶所致高血糖模型大鼠具有明显的降低血糖作用,可降低血清中总胆固醇和甘油三酯.并使血清MDA水平降低,抗氧化物质GSH含量增加,SOD活力升高.结论:玉米胚SOD提取物具有一定的降低血糖、血脂功效,可能与增加机体抗氧化能力有关.     

谷氨酰胺对力竭性游泳大鼠抗氧化作用的影响

目的：探讨谷氨酰胺（Gin）对力竭性游泳大鼠的抗氧化保护作用。方法：灌服Gin大鼠力竭游泳2h后,检测血清、肾、肝组织中丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）含量的变化。结果：力竭性游泳大鼠血清、肝SOD显著升高,肾SOD显著下降;肾MDA含量显著增高,血清和肾GSH显著下降。补充Gin能抑制血清、肝组织SOD升高和肾组织MDA的增多。结论：Gin对力竭性游泳所致的氧化应激有一定的保护作用。     

Diel variation in cortisol,glucose, lactic acid and antioxidant system of black sea bass Centropristis striata under natural photoperiod

ABSTRACT

Diel rhythm in activity of antioxidant enzymes, as well as contents of glutathione and lipid peroxides, has been intensively investigated in Mammalia and Aves, however, the relevant studies about fish are few. In the present study, we examined variation in contents of cortisol, glucose and lactic acid in plasma of black sea bass Centropristis striata under natural photoperiod during a 24-h period. In addition, variation in activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as contents of total glutathione (T-GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and plasma of the fish were also determined. The plasma and liver samples were collected from the test fish at 3 h intervals during a 24-h cycle, with the first sampling time set at 03:00 h. No significant differences were found in glucose content and activities of GSH-PX and GR in plasma, as well as activities of SOD and GR in liver among different sampling times. In contrast, apparent variation was observed in contents of cortisol, lactic acid and MDA in plasma, activities of SOD and CAT in plasma, contents of MDA, T-GSH, GSH and GSSG in liver and activities of GSH-PX and CAT in liver between different sampling times. Moreover, contents of cortisol and MDA in plasma, SOD activity in plasma, and contents of MDA, GSH and GSSG in liver exhibited circadian rhythm, and their acrophases occurred at 06:08 h, 18:38 h, 15:09 h, 09:57 h, 23:36 h and 07:30 h, respectively. The present study indicates that some physiological parameters relating to stress response, such as cortisol and MDA contents in plasma, MDA, GSH and GSSG contents in liver and SOD activity in plasma changed at different time throughout a day in black sea bass. Therefore, caution should be taken when evaluating stress response in fish with these physiological parameters measured at different times.     

不同运动强度对黑鲷生长、血清和肝脏抗氧化指标的影响

研究以黑鲷(Sparus macrocephalus)[体长(6.75±0.03) cm, 体重(11.56±0.15) g]为研究对象, 设计对照组(0 bl/s、体长/秒)和训练组(1.0、2.0和4.0 bl/s)4个水流速度, 探讨2周游泳运动训练对黑鲷生长、血清和肝脏抗氧化指标的影响。结果表明, 训练组的特定生长率(SGR)和增重率(WGR)都出现显著下降(P<0.05), 4.0 bl/s组存活率(SR)最低(P<0.05)。在2.0 bl/s强度下, 血糖(GLU)、总胆固醇(TCHO)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)均显著下降(P<0.05), 而总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、球蛋白(GLB)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)则显著升高(P<0.05)。随着强度的增加, 训练组的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性出现不同程度的下降, 过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性上升; 丙二醛(MDA)和蛋白质羰基含量呈先下降后上升趋势, 差异不显著。2周的训练显著增强了抑制羟自由基能力(P<0.05), 对溶菌酶(LZM)活性无显著影响。运动训练对黑鲷肝脏T-AOC和MDA没有显著性影响, GSH含量、AKP、ACP和CAT活性均呈现上升的趋势。综合考虑黑鲷生长、血清和肝脏抗氧化指标得出, 在游泳训练强度为2.0 bl/s时, 最有利于提升黑鲷机体抗氧化能力。     

姜黄素对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的预防作用及其可能机制

目的：探讨姜黄素（curcumin）对癫痫大鼠认知功能障碍的预防作用及其可能机制。方法：将30只成年雄性SD大鼠分为正常对照组、单纯致痫组（SE组）、姜黄素[60mg／（kg·d）]干预组（curcumin组）。采用MorriS水迷宫方法检测大鼠学习记忆功能变化,并检测脑片水平的长时程增强（LTP）变化,处死大鼠后取脑组织并匀浆,测超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH．PX）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、丙二醛（MDA）的水平。结果：（1）SE组大鼠寻找平台的潜伏期明显长于对照组,具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,姜黄素组寻找平台的潜伏期相对于SE组显著缩短（P〈0．05）。撤离平台后,SE组大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间明显短于对照组（P〈0．05）,姜黄素治疗后大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间较SE组显著延长（P〈0．05）。（2）给予HFS刺激后各组兴奋性突出后电位（fEPSP）斜率较前明显增加,均可持续1h以上,与对照组比较SE组HFS刺激后fEPSP斜率明显减小（P〈0．05）,姜黄素可减轻SE所致的fEPSP斜率减小（P〈0．05）。（3）SE组SOD、GSH—PX、GSH显著下降,MDA明显增高,姜黄素可逆转上述现象,有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：姜黄素可显著减轻癫痫持续状态所致的大鼠认知功能障碍,减轻海马区的氧化应激反应从而保护海马海马是其可能机制之一。     

Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing pigs

Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione transferase (GST) activities were studied in serum, liver, and kidney of growing pigs after graded doses of cadmium administration in diets. One hundred ninety-two barrows (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire), with similar initial body weight 27.67±1.33 kg, were randomly allotted into 4 different treatments with 3 replications (16 pigs per replication). The treatments received the same basal diet added with 0, 0.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg cadmium (as CdCl₂), respectively. The results showed pigs treated with 10 mg/kg cadmium significantly decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) compared to the control. In this treatment, the contents of MDA increased significantly (p<0.05), GSH concentrations, T-AOC levels, and the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, and GST decreased significantly (p<0.05). The results indicate 10 mg/kg cadmium could decrease pig antioxidant capacity after extended exposure and cadmium-induced increase lipid peroxidation might not be only the result of the possibility of lower level of GSH but could also be as a result of direct action of cadmium on peroxidation reaction.     

地鳖多肽提取物的抗氧化衰老机制

目的探讨地鳖多肽（ESW polypeptide）提取物抗氧化衰老机制的研究。方法小鼠连续腹腔注射D-半乳糖20 d,建立衰老模型,同时小鼠灌服不同剂量地鳖多肽提取物每日（0、40、80、160 mg/kg）,观察小鼠的正常活动、运动和耐应激能力。分别采用黄嘌呤氧化酶法、分光光度法检测小鼠血液和不同组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）活力,以及丙二醛（MDA）和还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量;免疫荧光法检测细胞核转录因子2（Nrf2）在Caco-2细胞的表达。结果与对照和多肽组比较,衰老组小鼠体重增重缓慢、组织脏器系数降低、运动时间缩短、抗应激能力降低、组织中抗氧化酶活力降低。随着地鳖多肽剂量增加,多肽组小鼠体重增加明显,肝脏、脾脏和肾脏指数增加显著,小鼠静力和动力运动时间明显延长,小鼠耐缺氧、耐高温和运动时间延长并接近对照组,血液和不同组织中的SOD、CAT、GSH-PX活力及GSH含量显著提高,但MDA含量降低。与对照组比较,地鳖多肽组Caco-2细胞核内Nrf2表达量明显增加,接近阳性对照组。结论地鳖多肽可能通过启动Nrf2-ARE抗氧化信号通路,提高D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠抗应激和抗氧化能力,从而延缓小鼠氧化衰老。     

红景天苷对高原缺氧大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制

目的:探讨红景天苷(Sal)对高原缺氧大鼠认知功能障碍的治疗作用及其可能机制。方法:将30只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为健康对照组、模型组(Model组)、Sal[按体重1g/(kg.d)]治疗组(sal组)。采用Morris水迷宫实验方法检测缺氧后大鼠学习记忆功能变化,同时检测脑组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)的水平。结果:(1)模型组大鼠寻找平台的潜伏期明显长于对照组,具有统计学意义(P<0.05),Sal组寻找平台的潜伏期相对于模型组显著缩短(P<0.05)。撤离平台后,模型组大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间明显短于对照组(P<0.05),Sal治疗后大鼠在平台所在象限的停留时间较模型组显著延长(P<0.05)。(2)模型组SOD、GSH-PX、GSH显著下降,MDA明显增高,Sal干预组SOD、GSH-PX、GSH显著增高,而MDA明显下降,具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:Sal可改善高原缺氧大鼠认知功能,其可能机制是通过减轻海马区的氧化应激反应减轻海马区的损伤,从而实现改善认知功能。     

Protective effect of silymarin on oxidative stress in rat brain

Brain is susceptible to oxidative stress and it is associated with age-related brain dysfunction. Previously, we have pointed out a dramatic decrease of glutathione levels in the rat brain after acetaminophen (APAP) oral administration overdose. Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of bioactive flavonolignans isolated from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., employed usually in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and as anti-hepatotoxic agent in humans. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of SM on enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant defensive systems in rat brain after APAP-induced damage. Male albino Wistar rats were treated with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for three days, or with APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) or with SM (200 mg/kg/die orally) for 3 days and APAP single oral administration (3 g/kg) at third day. Successively the following parameters were measured: reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA), enzymatic activity variations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde levels (MDA). Our results showed a significant decrease of GSH levels, AA levels and SOD activity and an increase of MDA and GSSG levels after APAP administration. After SM administration GSH and AA significantly increase and SOD activity was significantly enhanced. In the SM+APAP group, GSH values significantly increase and the others parameters remained unchanged respect to control values. These results suggest that SM may to protect the SNC by oxidative damage for its ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and replenishing the GSH levels.     

Nasturtium officinale reduces oxidative stress and enhances antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolaemic rats

Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (Brassicaceae) has been used as a home remedy by the people of south eastern (SE) region of Iran as a medicinal plant. This therapeutical application has been attributed to Nasturtium officinale (N. officinale) antioxidant capacity which is mostly tested by means of cell-free assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, the antioxidant effect of N. officinale extract has been investigated in hypercholesterolaemic rats in vivo. The results revealed that the extract has notable scavenging activity against DPPH radicals as well as potent reducing power in FRAP assay. Intragastric administration of N. officinale (500 mg/kg body weight per day) to groups of hypercholesterolaemic rats for 30 days lowered their blood total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by 37, 44 and 48%, respectively. However, the blood high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the same treated rats increased by 16%. To evaluate the mechanism(s) of action, we studied the antioxidative potential of N. officinale extract in terms of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and also the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver tissues. In addition, hepatic tissue malondialdehyde level (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation) was also determined. Under hypercholesterolaemic condition, hepatic MDA was increased. Moreover, our data indicated GSH depletion along with significant reduction in the activities of CAT and SOD in rats fed high-fat diet rats. On the other hand, significant elevation in the activities of GPx and GR were seen in the same group of rats. Treatment of hypercholesterolaemic rats with N. officinale extract significantly increased the GSH level along with enhanced CAT and SOD activities in liver tissues. Furthermore, N. officinale extract significantly decreased hepatic MDA as well as GPx and GR activities in plant-treated rats. Based on our data, it can be concluded that N. officinale has a high hypolipidaemic activity and this may be attributed to its antioxidative potential.     

Germacrone attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms

Germacrone (GM) is an anti-inflammatory compound extracted from Rhizoma curcuma. Here, we strived to investigate the neuroprotective effects of GM in rat models of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury. Rats immediately after cerebral ischemia were intraperitoneally injected with GM at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. After 1 day of reperfusion, the water content in the brain, infarct volume, and neurological deficits were assessed. Hippocampus neurons were histopathologically examined by hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissue were detected. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were utilized to quantify the expression of apoptosis markers, such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. The content of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) was also measured using Western blotting. GM treatment markedly decreased the brain water content, infarct volume and the neurological deficits, which was corroborated by attenuated histopathologic change. MDA levels were reduced and activities of GSH, SOD, and GSH-PX were elevated after GM treatment. Caspase-3 and Bax were decreased, and Bcl-2 was increased at both messenger RNA and protein levels by GM treatment. The p-Akt expression was increased by GM. Our data indicated that the neuroprotective effects of GM may attenuate the injuries from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats through antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms.