Echinochrome A Attenuates Cerebral Ischemic Injury through Regulation of Cell Survival after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rat

Abstract

Of late, researchers have taken interest in alternative medicines for the treatment of brain ischemic stroke, where full recovery is rarely seen despite advanced medical technologies. Due to its antioxidant activity, Echinochrome A (Ech A), a natural compound found in sea urchins, has acquired attention as an alternative clinical trial source for the treatment of ischemic stroke. The current study demonstrates considerable potential of Ech A as a medication for cerebral ischemic injury. To confirm the effects of Ech A on the recovery of the injured region and behavioral decline, Ech A was administered through the external carotid artery in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model after reperfusion. The expression level of cell viability-related factors was also examined to confirm the mechanism of brain physiological restoration. Based on the results obtained, we propose that Ech A ameliorates the physiological deterioration by its antioxidant effect which plays a protective role against cell death, subsequent to post cerebral ischemic stroke.

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

“…All parts of these organisms have been used in traditional medicine [ 121 ] and are a highly valuable source of medicines. The sodium salt of naphthoquinone pigment echinochrome A ( 17 ) (under the name of histochrome), isolated from the shell of sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis , is approved in Russia for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and, in ophthalmology, for dystrophic diseases of the retina and cornea [ 9 , 122 , 123 ]. The absorption of histochrome was studied in rabbits after subconjunctival and parabulbar injection.…”

Multifaceted Clinical Effects of Echinochrome

“…Studies have evaluated the neuroprotective effect of Ech A in animal models of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Histochrome (0.7 mg/kg, bolus intraperitoneal injection) effectively reduced the edema caused by hemorrhage, which thus alleviated neurological symptoms in rats [ 48 , 51 ].…”

Selected Papers from the Third International Symposium on Life Science

“…It altered the expression levels of cell viability-related factors. It was concluded that the protective role of this natural compound against cell death is connected with its antioxidant effect [11].…”