Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Rhus coriaria Extract in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Abstract

Modulating oxidative stresses and inflammation can potentially prevent or alleviate the pathological conditions of diseases associated with the nervous system, including ischemic optic neuropathy. In this study we evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities of Rhus coriaria (R. coriaria) extract in vivo. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for DPPH, ABTS and β–carotene were 6.79 ± 0.009 µg/mL, 10.94 ± 0.09 µg/mL, and 6.25 ± 0.06 µg/mL, respectively. Retinal ischemia was induced by optic nerve crush injury in albino Balb/c mice. The anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of R. coriaria (ERC) and linoleic acid (LA) on ocular ischemia was monitored using Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (FMT). Following optic nerve crush injury, the mice treated with 400 mg/kg of ERC and LA exhibited an 84.87% and 86.71% reduction of fluorescent signal (cathepsin activity) respectively. The results of this study provide strong scientific evidence for the neuroprotective activity of the ERC, identifying LA as one of the main components responsible for the effect. ERC may be useful and worthy of further development for its adjunctive utilization in the treatment of optic neuropathy.

Phytochemical Diversity and Pharmacological Properties of Rhus coriaria

“…Ethanol‐water extract showed higher inhibition on ICAM‐1 and MMP‐9, and IC 50 values were1.76±0.24 and 1.24±0.33 μg/mL, respectively. This research suggests that R. coriaria fruits extract have positive effects in the treatment of keratinocyte inflammation …”

“…The anti‐neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities of R. coriaria extract in vivo have been reported by Khalilpour et al. (2018), and in 2019, the same group also reported that R. coriaria has a wide range of traditional applications, covering its topical use to treat skin burns or eczemas in addition to its ability to promote wound healing . R. coriaria fruit extract, which is rich in anthocyanins, inhibited the α ‐TNF‐induced IL‐8 release; just mERC and EWRC suppressed NF‐ κ B activation, ICAM‐1, and MMP‐9 secretion.…”

Special Issue: Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Plant Polyphenols

“…The polyphenols studied include flavonoids occurring in leafy vegetables [16], the pure molecules hydroxytyrosol (HT) and oleuropein, particularly abundant in olive oil [17], flavonoids and phenols from poplar propolis, including pinocembrin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and galangin [18], anthocyanins and gallotannins from Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) fruits [19].…”

“…Khalilpour S. et al [19] highlighted the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) in a mouse model of ischemic optic neuropathy. Rhus coriaria is a small tree native to southern Europe, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family.…”

Rhus coriaria L. Fruit Extract Prevents UV-A-Induced Genotoxicity and Oxidative Injury in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells

“…According to the literature, Sumac fruit possess a multitude of biological activities including beneficial effects in vivo in streptozotocin-induced diabetes [8], lipid-lowering effects in hypercholesterolemic rats [9], cardioprotective effects in hyperlipidemic patients [10,11], prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis [12], neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of ischemic optic neuropathy [13,14] and an in vitro model of retinal degeneration [15]. Moreover, Chakraborty A. and colleagues showed in vivo scavenging effects of sumac and inhibition of DNA bases oxidation, also following γ-irradiation [16].…”