Quercetin Exerts a Protective Effect on Ischemic Stroke-induced Memory Deficits in Mice

Abstract

Objective Brain injury resulting from an ischemic stroke affects cognitive performance by disrupting the hippocampus. Several processes are involved in brain injury progression, including inflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and modulated brain peptide systems such as the melanocortin system. Reports show that quercetin exerts neuroprotective activity. This study investigates quercetin’s role in the cognitive function of ischemic stroke-induced mice and the possible mechanisms involved. Method ICR mice were used. The left unilateral common carotid artery occlusion was conducted for 4 h to induce an ischemic stroke in the mice. Quercetin 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg were administered to separate groups intraperitoneally for 7 days. Cognitive function was examined using the T-maze test. The hippocampal mRNA expressions of NR2A, NR2B, melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), pro-opiomelanocortin precursors (POMC), and nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results It was found that stroke disrupted cognitive function. Quercetin administration ameliorated cognitive impairment. Quercetin attenuated the stroke-induced decrease in MC4R mRNA expression. Moreover, quercetin suppressed the stroke-induced increase in the hippocampal mRNA expression of NR2A. Conclusion Quercetin ameliorates cognitive deficits and normalizes impaired hippocampal melanocortin and glutamatergic signaling in ischemic stroke-induced mice.

Formulation, physicochemical characterisation, and in vitro evaluation of quercetin-alginate microsphere system

“…Quercetin [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one] is a secondary metabolite from plants that are known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer activities (Wang et al, 2022). In addition, quercetin also has an effect on the central nervous system in various diseases such as depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's (Anggreini et al, 2019;Zu et al, 2021;Ardianto et al, 2023). Furthermore, quercetin supplementation affects metabolic syndrome diseases such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Al-Maamari et al, 2021;Dhanya, 2022).…”