The Importance of Natural Antioxidants in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury in Animal Models: An Overview

Abstract

<jats:p>Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) face devastating health, social, and financial consequences, as well as their families and caregivers. Reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress are essential strategies for SCI treatment. Some compounds from traditional medicine could be useful to decrease ROS generated after SCI. This review is aimed at highlighting the importance of some natural compounds with antioxidant capacity used in traditional medicine to treat traumatic SCI. An electronic search of published articles describing animal models of SCI treated with natural compounds from traditional medicine was conducted using the following terms: Spinal Cord Injuries (MeSH terms) AND Models, Animal (MeSH terms) AND [Reactive Oxygen Species (MeSH terms) AND/OR Oxidative Stress (MeSH term)] AND Medicine, Traditional (MeSH terms). Articles reported from 2010 to 2018 were included. The results were further screened by title and abstract for studies performed in rats, mice, and nonhuman primates. The effects of these natural compounds are discussed, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. Moreover, the antioxidant properties of natural compounds were emphasized since oxidative stress has a fundamental role in the generation and progression of several pathologies of the nervous system. The use of these compounds diminishes toxic effects due to their high antioxidant capacity. These compounds have been tested in animal models with promising results; however, no clinical studies have been conducted in humans. Further research of these natural compounds is crucial to a better understanding of their effects in patients with SCI.</jats:p>

Effects of Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Interconnected Pathways during Spinal Cord Injury

“…Enhancing the activity and the levels of CAT, SOD, glutathione reductase (GR), GPx, MDA, phosphoinositol, GSH, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), as well as suppressing the expression of ROS, iNOS, phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-(NADPH-) dependent LPO, and XO, could be targeted by phytocompounds. Besides, decreasing the level of myeloperoxidase, restoring the membrane potential of mitochondria, enhancing the activity of the phosphoinositide 3kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, and increasing the levels of thioredoxin-(TRX-) 1/TRX-2 mRNA are some of the mechanisms that have been targeted by other bioactive compounds in modulating oxidative stress [9,[32][33][34][35][36][37].…”

Potentiality of ghrelin as antioxidant and protective agent

“…The non-enzymatic molecules are either natural substances obtained from daily nutrition or synthesized by the body itself. The non-enzymatic antioxidant function through direct removing of free radical intermediates, and/or indirectly through regulation of vital endogenous antioxidants enzymes, and/or transcription factors [24].…”

Epigallocatechin Gallate Modulates Essential Elements, Zn/Cu Ratio, Hazardous Metal, Lipid Peroxidation, and Antioxidant Activity in the Brain Cortex during Cerebral Ischemia

“…Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a natural compound that mainly exists in fruits and plants to protect against environmental stress [ 1 ]. The rat model displays that EGCG possesses the beneficial properties of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”