Neuroprotective effects of Quercetin on radiation-induced brain injury in rats

Abstract

Extensive research has been focused on radiation-induced brain injury. Animal and human studies have shown that flavonoids have remarkable toxicological profiles. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of quercetin in an experimental radiation-induced brain injury. A total of 32 adult male Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, quercetin, radiation, and radiation+quercetin groups, with eight rats in each group). Doses (50 mg/kg) of quercetin were administered to the animals in the quercetin and radiation+quercetin groups; radiation and radiation+quercetin groups were exposed to a dose of 20 Gy to the cranium region. Tissue samples, and biochemical levels of tissue injury markers in the four groups were compared. In all measured parameters of oxidative stress, administration of quercetin significantly demonstrated favorable effects. Both plasma and tissue levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status significantly changed in favor of antioxidant activity. Histopathological evaluation of the tissues also demonstrated a significant decrease in cellular degeneration and infiltration parameters after quercetin administration. Quercetin demonstrated significant neuroprotection after radiation-induced brain injury. Further studies of neurological outcomes under different experimental settings are required in order to achieve conclusive results.

Comparative Pharmacognosy, Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Phania matricarioides (Spreng.) Griseb. Collected from Different Localities in Cuba

“…In particular, phenolic compounds have been shown to be effective agents in scavenging reactive species responsible for inducing oxidative stress. In concordance with chemical studies, quercetin was identified in the three extracts, which has been noted in the literature for its antioxidant activities [35,36], and anticancer [37], neuroprotection [38], hepatoprotection [39], anti-inflammatory [40], and antiparasitic [41,42] properties. Among the P. matricarioides extracts, higher antioxidant activity was observed in the PmC extract, which also displayed the higher concentration of quercetin according to the chemical profile as shown in the quantitative map.…”

Antioxidant Activities of Quercetin and Its Complexes for Medicinal Application

“…In various experimental studies, quercetin suppressed radiation-induced brain damage in rats, oxidative damage in rats induced by acrylamide, nerve damage in retinas of diabetic rats, as well as neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress induced by cadmium fluoride. By modulating the antioxidant levels, quercetin protects the brain, nerves, or other cells in the body from damage caused by oxidation [50,51,52,53,54].…”

Radioprotective Effect of Flavonoids on Ionizing Radiation-Induced Brain Damage

“…Troxerutin, a natural flavonoid with a high capability to pass through the BBB, can prevent rotenone-induced retinal neurodegeneration [21]. Quercetin, a flavonoid, has obvious neuroprotective effects on radioactive brain injury [22]. Radiotherapy of patients with brain tumors leads to learning and memory impairments.…”