Beneficial effects of berberine and ۶-gingerol against global cerebral ischemia: Insights from stereological, behavioral, and antioxidant enzyme activity

Objective: Global cerebral ischemia (GCI) severely impacts brain function, leading to cognitive impairments and neuronal damage, particularly in the hippocampus. This study examined the neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of Berberine (BBR) and ۶-Gingerol (GI), both separately and in combination, after inducing global cerebral ischemia (GCI) in Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Sham, GCI, GCI+BBR, GCI+GI, and GCI+BBR+GI. Treatments were given intragastrically ۱۵ min after inducing GCI. Short-term spatial memory was evaluated through the Y-maze test, and hippocampal structure and antioxidant enzyme activity were analyzed using stereological and biochemical methods, respectively.Results: GCI+BBR+GI showed better memory function (p<۰.۰۱), antioxidant enzyme activities (p<۰.۰۱), and stereological parameters than the other treatment groups.Conclusion: BBR, GI, and their combination improved memory, preserved CA۱ pyramidal neurons, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities compared to GCI alone. The combined treatment produced the most pronounced protective effects. These findings suggest that BBR and GI, particularly together, effectively mitigate hippocampal damage and cognitive deficits following GCI.

کلیدواژه ها:

Berberine ۶ ، Gingerol Stroke Global cerebral ischemia Stereology