Umukoro_2019_Pathophysiology_26_77

The effects of Jobelyn(R) (JB) on neurological deficits and biochemical alterations associated with ischemic stroke induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) in rats were investigated in this study. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): group 1 served as Sham control; group 2, which served as negative control received normal saline while groups 3-5 were given JB (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o) daily for 28 days. Then, rats in groups 2-5 were subjected to BCCAO for 30 min and reperfusion afterwards. Neurological deficits were assessed 3 h post-reperfusion using a 9-point neurological scoring scale. The levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrotic factor-alpha and interleukin-6), expressions of immunopositive cells of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) activity were determined in brain tissues. Histology of the striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (CA1) was also evaluated. JB improved BCCAO-induced neurological deficits and attenuated increased oxidative stress and AChE activity in rats subjected to BCCAO (p < 0.05). Increased brain levels of tumour necrotic factor-alpha and interleukin-6 as well as expressions of immunopositive cells of NF-kappaB were decreased by JB. JB reduced brain damage and also increased population of viable neurons in the striatum, PFC and hippocampus of ischemic stroke rats. These findings suggest that the positive effect of JB on neurological function in rats with ischemic stroke may be related to inhibition of oxidative stress, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressions of immunopositive cells of NF-kappaB.