@ARTICLE{Rafieian-Kopaei, author = {Asgharzade, Samira and Sewell, Robert D. E. and Rabiei, Zahra and Forouzanfar, Fatemeh and Kazemi Sheikhshabani, Sedigheh and Rafieian-Kopaei, Mahmoud and }, title = {Hydroalcoholic Extract of Anchusa Italica Protects Global Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Via a Nitrergic Mechanism}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, abstract ={Introduction: In stroke models, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression initiates cellular toxicity due to excessive Nitric Oxide (NO) generation. Anchusa italica is a medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity and NOS mRNA expression of the Hydroalcoholic Extract Of Anchusa Italica (HEAI) in an experimental stroke model in rats. Methods: The stroke model was induced by bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 60 min. Twenty-four hours after surgery, HEAI (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was injected daily for 10 consecutive days. mRNA expression levels of NOS subtypes and hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) were studied using real-time PCR. Besides, hippocampal tissue plus serum concentrations of NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results: HEAI decreased MDA in both serum and hippocampal tissue and also reduced serum NO levels. Additionally, in the HEAI-treated groups, a down-regulation of iNOS mRNA expression, and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA expression were observed. Conclusion: The results indicated that the administration of HEAI even after the onset of ischemia protects the brain from free radical injury and inflammation via a down-regulation of iNOS expression inhibiting NO production and an up-regulation of BDNF mRNA. }, URL = {http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1425-en.html}, eprint = {http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1425-en.pdf}, journal = {Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal}, doi = {10.32598/bcn.11.2.1665.2}, year = {2020} }