Anti -infarct Effects of Devil's Claw on Neuronal Density in the Penumbra Region Following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Objective: Stroke remains a prevalent and debilitating condition that affects millions globally. This study investigates the potential of the Devil's Claw (DCW), a native African plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, to mitigate brain injury resulting from cerebral ischemia. Materials and Methods: In this study, rats were randomly allocated into four distinct groups. The sham and control (Ctrl) groups received a distilled water vehicle for pretreatment, while the experimental groups were administered DCW at doses of ۲۰۰ and ۴۰۰ mg/kg. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced using either the filament or intravascular occlusion technique. The neuroprotective efficacy of DCW was assessed through hematoxylin staining, while motor function was evaluated using the rotarod performance test. Results: Histological analyses demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects of DCW at both ۲۰۰ mg/kg and ۴۰۰ mg/kg doses when compared to the Ctrl group (p<۰.۰۱ and p<۰.۰۰۰۱, respectively). Behavioral assessments revealed marked improvements in motor performance in the group pretreated with ۴۰۰ mg/kg of DCW compared to the Ctrl group (p<۰.۰۰۰۱). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that pretreatment with DCW exhibits substantial neuroprotective capabilities, effectively reducing the size of the penumbra region and facilitating the restoration of motor functions following MCAO. This underscores the potential of DCW as a therapeutic agent in the management of stroke-related brain injuries.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cerebral ischemia ، Devil's Claw ، Locomotor activity ، Neuronal density