Evaluation of cerebroprotective effect of Ricinus communis leaves against ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Background Ricinus communis (RC) has been used for a long time as natural origin medicine in the treatment of central nervous system ailments. This present study was designed to identify the possible role of Ricinus communis leaves extract against ischemia-reperfusion induced-neurobehavioral changes, oxidative stress, histopathological and cellular modifications in the brain. Methods Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (200–250 g) were induced to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for around 30 min later subjected to reperfusion for 24 h to induce cerebral injury by reperfusion. Ricinus communis leaves extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o) was administered continuously for 14 days and on the 15th-day animals were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Different behavioral tests and biochemical parameters were assessed subsequently. Results Fourteen days Ricinus communis leaves extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment very significantly improved neurobehavioral alterations when compared to control ischemia-reperfusion. Ricinus communis leaves extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) kg, i.p. treatment significantly attenuated oxidative damage when compared to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group animals. In addition, Ricinus communis leaves extract treatment was well supported histopathologically when compared to the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group. Conclusion The data from this study recommend that treatment with Ricinus communis leaves extract increases the antioxidant protection against BCCAO-induced global cerebral ischemia and demonstrates neuroprotective activity.