Daniele La Russa1, Domenico Montesano2, Daniela Pellegrino3, Marialaura Frisina1, Giacinto Bagetta1, Francesca Fallarino4, Diana Amantea1. 1. Section of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Section of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. 3. Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy. 4. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Natural products are valuable sources of nutraceuticals for the prevention or treatment of ischemic stroke, a major cause of death and severe disability worldwide. Among the mechanisms implicated in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion damage, oxidative stress exerts a pivotal role in disease progression. Given the high antioxidant potential of most components of sunflower oil, we have explored its effects on ischemic brain injury produced in the mouse by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo). KEY FINDINGS: Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of sunflower oil at doses of 3 ml/kg (48 h, 24 h and 1 h before MCAo) significantly reduced brain infarct volume and oedema assessed 24 h after the insult. This neuroprotective treatment schedule also prevented the elevation of brain lipid peroxidation produced by MCAo-reperfusion injury. By contrast, doses of 0.03 ml/kg of sunflower oil resulted ineffective on both cerebral damage and lipid peroxidation. Although sunflower oil did not affect serum levels of Diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), both 0.03 and 3 ml/kg dosing regimens resulted in the preservation of serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP) that was otherwise dramatically reduced 24 h after MCAo. CONCLUSIONS: Sunflower oil represents a promising source of neuroprotective extracts/compounds that can be exploited for the prevention and/or treatment of cerebral ischemia.
OBJECTIVES: Natural products are valuable sources of nutraceuticals for the prevention or treatment of ischemic stroke, a major cause of death and severe disability worldwide. Among the mechanisms implicated in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion damage, oxidative stress exerts a pivotal role in disease progression. Given the high antioxidant potential of most components of sunflower oil, we have explored its effects on ischemic brain injury produced in the mouse by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo). KEY FINDINGS: Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of sunflower oil at doses of 3 ml/kg (48 h, 24 h and 1 h before MCAo) significantly reduced brain infarct volume and oedema assessed 24 h after the insult. This neuroprotective treatment schedule also prevented the elevation of brain lipid peroxidation produced by MCAo-reperfusion injury. By contrast, doses of 0.03 ml/kg of sunflower oil resulted ineffective on both cerebral damage and lipid peroxidation. Although sunflower oil did not affect serum levels of Diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), both 0.03 and 3 ml/kg dosing regimens resulted in the preservation of serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP) that was otherwise dramatically reduced 24 h after MCAo. CONCLUSIONS:Sunflower oil represents a promising source of neuroprotective extracts/compounds that can be exploited for the prevention and/or treatment of cerebral ischemia.