Improvement of memory and neurological deficit with Ocimum basilicum L. extract after ischemia reperfusion induced cerebral injury in mice

Metab Brain Dis. 2018 Aug;33(4):1111-1120. doi: 10.1007/s11011-018-0215-5. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Abstract

Oxidative stress is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke. Strategies using antioxidants to improve neurological functions after stroke have, thus, gained significant attention. Ocimum basilicum L. is used traditionally to treat CNS disorders. Its antioxidant capacity is well established. Our laboratory has reported protective effects of pre-treatment with O. basilicum in experimental stroke, but its curative (post-treatment) effects in ischemic stroke have not been documented. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of O. basilicum leaf extract (OBLE) on functional outcomes following cerebral injury in mice. Cerebral injury was induced in the experimental animals by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) followed by reperfusion. OBLE treatment (200 and 400 mg/kg; orally, once daily) was given for 7 days after BCCAO. Cognitive outcomes and sensorimotor disturbances were evaluated with Morris Water Maze, Elevated Plus Maze and neurological severity score, respectively. TTC (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) staining was used to measure cerebral infarct size. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity in mice brain homogenate were estimated to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of OBLE. Treatment with OBLE resulted in marked improvement in memory and motor coordination. OBLE also decreased cerebral infarct size and oxidative stress in mice. The extract was standardised with respect to total phenol content; an HPLC-PDA analysis showed the presence of eight phenolic acids in OBLE. It is concluded that treatment with OBLE improves functional outcomes after ischemic stroke and this may be developed as a neuroprotective drug.

Keywords: Cerebral injury; Functional deficit; Ischemic stroke; Neuroprotection; Ocimum basilicum extract; Phenolic acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Maze Learning / drug effects*
  • Memory Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Memory Disorders / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Ocimum basilicum
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Reperfusion Injury / complications*
  • Reperfusion Injury / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione