Neuroprotective effects of quercetin on cerebral vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage in rats

Abstract

The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. The study was conducted on thirty-eight male albino Wistar Background/aim: We examined the protective effects of the natural flavonoid, quercetin, against cerebral vasospasm in an experimental rat subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) model. Materials and methods: Thirty-eight albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows: group 1 (G1, n=8), no experimental intervention; group 2 (G2, n=8), subarachnoid physiological saline; group 3 (G3, n=8), SAH; group 4 (G4, n=7) SAH and low-dose (10 mg/kg) quercetin treatment; group 5 (G5, n=7), SAH and high-dose (50 mg/kg) quercetin treatment. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was induced by injection of 0.15 cc of autologous blood taken from the tail artery into the cisterna magna from the craniocervical junction and basilar arteries and blood samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in G2 and G3 than in G1 (P < 0.05). Significant decreases in MDA were observed in G4 and G5 compared with G2 (P < 0.05, G4-G2; P < 0.05, G5-G2). There were no significant differences between G2 and G3 or among G1, G4, and G5. No statistically significant differences were found in total antioxidant capacity between the groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in basilar artery (BA) wall thickness between G3 and G4 or between G3 and G5, but G4 and G5 showed greater luminal diameters than G3 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in BA thickness or luminal diameter between G4 and G5. Conclusion: Our results suggested that quercetin may be beneficial in SAH therapy by preventing vasospasm.

From Preclinical Stroke Models to Humans: Polyphenols in the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke

“…The molecule is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and displays potential protective properties against hypertension and ischemic heart disease in both animal models and humans [ 67 , 68 ]. Notably, quercetin and its glycosides isoquercetin (3-O-glucoside) and rutin (3-O-rutinoside) have been found to promote beneficial effects in various models of brain ischemia [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], ICH [ 75 , 76 ] and SAH [ 77 , 78 ]. The health effect of quercetin could be attributed to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions, combined with a protective effect on BBB through the inhibition of metalloproteinase (MMP) activity [ 70 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…Notably, quercetin and its glycosides isoquercetin (3-O-glucoside) and rutin (3-O-rutinoside) have been found to promote beneficial effects in various models of brain ischemia [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], ICH [ 75 , 76 ] and SAH [ 77 , 78 ]. The health effect of quercetin could be attributed to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions, combined with a protective effect on BBB through the inhibition of metalloproteinase (MMP) activity [ 70 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. It has been proposed that the antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity of the molecule may be mediated by the activation of Nrf2 factor [ 69 ].…”

Quercetin: A Bioactive Compound Imparting Cardiovascular and Neuroprotective Benefits: Scope for Exploring Fresh Produce, Their Wastes, and By-Products

“…It was found that this combination was quite effective in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) in rats [109]. The neuroprotective effects of quercetin in Wistar rats as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model animals for its role in visualizing the effects against cerebral vasospasm was reported by Gül et al [110]. The biochemical and histopathological evaluation reported revealed that quercetin has a crucial role in SAH therapy by stopping vasospasm.…”

Oxidative Stress and Cerebral Vascular Tone: The Role of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species

“…However, these relaxations were suppressed by catalase, while SOD (superoxide dismutase) had no impact, suggesting that the relaxations resulted from the direct effect of hydrogen peroxide [ 154 ]. Likewise, other than improving endothelial function [ 155 ], flavonoids may elicit favorable impacts on the vascular system, resulting in ameliorating cerebrovascular blood flow [ 156 ], potentially preventing vasospasm in SAH [ 157 ], and with therapeutic effects on ischemic stroke-induced models [ 158 ].…”