Abstract
The neuroprotective effects of a water fraction from the methanol extract of Ixeris dentata (WFID) against oxidative stress in the brain of mice challenged with kainic acid were examined by evaluating behavioral characteristics and biochemical parameters of oxidative stress. Male ICR mice were divided into three groups: a control group that received no treatment and two groups challenged with kainic acid either with or without WFID (1.0 g/kg) for 4 consecutive days. On day 3 kainic acid (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered in the two challenged groups. When compared with the vehicle-treated control, no significant changes in body and brain weights were observed in mice administered WFID. Administration of kainic acid only caused a lethality of approximately 62.5%, and resulted in a significant decrease of total glutathione concentrations in the brain tissue. When WFID was investigated for neuroprotective action, WFID reduced the lethality (37.5%) of kainic acid, and the behavioral signs of its neurotoxicity. Moreover, the administration of WFID restored the glutathione concentrations in the cytosolic fraction of brain homogenate to control levels (P <.05). Furthermore, glutathione peroxidase activity was restored significantly (Plt;.05) in the cytosolic portion of brain homogenate, whereas glutathione reductase activity was not. These results suggest that I. dentata contains a functional agent that protects against oxidative stress in the brains of mice.
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