Background: The death of neurons and cerebral edema are the main consequences of stroke. However, inflammatory processes play a key role in aggravating cerebral damage following stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Viola odorant extract (VOE) on infarct volume (IV), neurologic deficits (ND), and expression of NF-κB and VCAM-1 in the MCAO model.
Method: The animals were randomly separated into 5 groups: (1) control group, (2) vehicle-treated group, (3) MCAO group, (4) VOE25 group, (5) VOE50 group, (6) VOE75 group (n=12). VOE (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) or distilled water were administered daily for 30 days. Two hours after the last gavage, rats were exposed to 60 minutes of MCAO. Twenty-four hours later, the IV, ND, and NF-κB/VCAM-1 expression were evaluated.
Results: V. odorata extract (VOE) exhibited excellent neuroprotective effects by reducing infarct volume (mainly in the core and sub-cortex areas), and induced down-regulation of NF-kB and VCAM-1 expression.
Conclusion: This finding suggests that V. odorata could also activate intracellular pathways, which ultimately reduces the expression of NF-κB and VCAM-1 and be useful for developing a novel medical herbs for treating cerebral ischemia.