Neuroprotective effects of oleanolic acid against secondary cascades of traumatic brain injury in mice

Abstract

Introduction

Traumatic Brain Inury (TBI) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid showed a large number of neuroprotective effects such as anti-alziermer, anti-ischemic etc.

Objectives

In the present investigation an effort has been made to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of OA and molecular mechanism is involved in TBI.

Methods

Weight drop model has been utilized to induce moderate TBI and assess the neuroprotective effect of OA at the doses 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) in mice. After 30 min of injury, OA was administered. The neuroprotective effect of OA was observed after 24 h and 21 days of drug administration. Neurological behaviour (neurological score, open field test, beam walk and morris water maze test) were assessed before sacrifice the animal at different time interval. Oxidative stress (MDA, CAT, GSH, SOD and Nitrite), neuro-inflammatory cytokines (NF-ĸB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β and mitochondrial dysfunction were evaluated.

Results

OA at both the doses significantly improved the neurological behaviours as compared to vehicle treated group. OA also showed significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect via regulated the oxidative stress (MDA, CAT, and GSH) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, NF-ĸB and IL-1β) on 24 h and 21st day of injury. OA significantly reduced the mitochondrial dysfunction by regulated various complex enzyme activity.

Conclusion

OA can be potentially considered as a neuroprotective compound for therapeutic management of TBI.