R. Padmavathi1*, Akula Annapurna2
1G. Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
2AU College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, India
*Address for Corresponding Author
Dr. R. Padmavathi
Associate Professor,
Department of Pharmacology, G.Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad-500028 Telangana – India
Abstract
Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate cerebro-protective potential of Urtica dioica against ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral damage and neurobehavioral alterations in rats. Material and methods: In order to evaluate the cerebroprotective activity, we have chosen in vivo bilateral common carotid artery occlusion induced cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model (30 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion) and Urtica dioica (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 ml/kg) treatment was given for seven days prior to induction of ischemia and reperfusion. Cerebral damage was determined using TTC staining technique. We employed Elevated plus maze test to assess memory and Locomotor activity, Inclined beam walking test (neurological score) and Hanging wire test for evaluation of motor co-ordination. Results: Severe cerebral damage was observed in rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Urtica dioica treatment dose dependently offered cerebro-protection by significantly reducing the infarct size. Marked impairment of memory and motor co-ordination in parallel to the significant increase in the infarction size was observed in rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Pretreatment with Urtica dioica significantly attenuated ischemia-reperfusion induced neurobehavioral alterations in the rats. Conclusion: This work suggests that Urtica dioica may improve the therapeutic outcome of stroke, if administered in conjunction with thrombolytic therapy
Keywords: Urtica dioica, cerebro-protective, ischemia-reperfusion, neurobehavioral
