Silymarin improves the behavioural, biochemical and histoarchitecture alterations in focal ischemic rats: A comparative evaluation with piracetam and protocatachuic acid

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 102; no. 2; pp. 286 - 293
• Main Authors: Muley, Milind M., Thakare, Vishnu N., Patil, Rajesh R., Kshirsagar, Ajay D., Naik, Suresh R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants; Behavior, Animal; Behavioural profile; Brain; Brain Ischemia - metabolism; Brain Ischemia - pathology; Brain Ischemia - prevention & control; Brain Ischemia - psychology; Catalase; Catalase - metabolism; Esters; Focal ischemia; Glutathione; Glutathione - metabolism; Hydroxybenzoates - pharmacology; Ischemia; Lipid Peroxidation; Maze Learning; Memory; Motor task performance; Neurological complications; Neuroprotection; Nitrite; Oxidative stress; Piracetam; Piracetam - pharmacology; Protocatechuic acid; Protocatechuic acid ethyl ester; Rats; Reperfusion; Rotarod Performance Test; Silymarin; Silymarin - pharmacology; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Water content; Focal ischemia; Oxidative stress; Piracetam; Silymarin; Protocatechuic acid ethyl ester; Behavioural profile
• ISSN: 0091-3057; 1873-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.05.004

Comparative neuroprotective potential of silymarin, piracetam and protocatechuic acid ethyl ester (PCA) was evaluated in focal ischemic rats. Various pharmacological, biochemical (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase, nitrite content, brain water content) and behavioural (memory impairment, motor control, neurological score) including infarct size and histopathological alterations were evaluated. Silymarin (200mg/kg) and PCA treatment significantly improved behavioural, biochemical and histopathological changes, and reduced water content and infarct size. However, piracetam only improved behavioural and histopathological changes, reduced water content and infarct size. The findings indicate that silymarin exhibits neuroprotective activity better than PCA and piracetam in focal ischemia/reperfusion reflected by its better restoration of behavioural and antioxidant profile. [Display omitted] ► Focal ischemia induce behavioural biochemical and histological changes in rats. ► Silymarin improves ischemic changes significantly. ► Silymarin is found to be better than piracetam and protocatachuis acid.