Neuroprotective effects of safranal on a rat model of traumatic injury to the spinal cord by anti-apoptotic,anti-inflammatory and edema-attenuating actions
10.7652/jdyxb201702024
- VernacularTitle:藏红花通过抗凋亡、抗炎和抗水肿机制发挥对大鼠脊髓损伤模型的神经保护作用
- Author:
Chen ZHANG
;
Leifeng Lü
;
Miao LI
;
Ling GAO
;
Jun MA
;
Kunzheng WANG
- Keywords:
safranal;
neuroprotection;
Bax;
P38MAPK;
APQ-4;
Bcl-2;
spinal cord injury
- From:
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences)
2017;38(2):280-289
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effect of safranal on neurologic functions and histopathologic changes after spinal cord injury (SCI)and the related molecular mechanisms.Methods We randomly assigned 36 rats into six groups:control group,injury group and four treatment groups (namely,A,B,C,and D).The Basso Beattie Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB)and HE staining were applied to evaluate the neuroprotective effect and determine the most effective dosage.Another 60 rats were randomly and evenly assigned to three groups:control group,injury group and treatment group.Nissl staining,TUNEL staining and electron microscopy were used to analyze histopathological changes;RT-PCR,immunohistopathological staining,ELISA,and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2 ),inflammation-related factors (IL-1β, IL-10,TNF-αand P38MAPK),and edema-related factor (APQ-4).Results The optimal dosage for safranal was 100 mg/kg.Neurocyte structure was found more distinct in treatment group than in injury group.In addition,we detected a smaller number of apoptotic neurocyte (26.37±1.54 vs.35.94±1.62,P=0.000),decreased Bax (P=0.000)and APQ-4[(359.55±16.12)% vs.(124.53±20.35)%,P=0.000]expressions,increased Bcl-2 (P=0.036)expression,and obviously lowered P38MAPK [(300.30±33.26)% vs.(132.54±10.21)%,P=0.000]expression. Conclusion Safranal exerts its neuroprotective function through anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation and anti-edema in the rat model of spinal cord injury.
