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Propensity of Withania somnifera to Attenuate Behavioural, Biochemical, and Histological Alterations in Experimental Model of Stroke

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Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effects of Withania somnifera (WS) pre-supplementation on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke was induced in the rats by inserting intraluminal suture for 90 min, followed by reperfusion injury for 24 h. The animals were assessed for locomotor functions (by neurological deficit scores, narrow beam walk and rotarod test), cognitive and anxiety-like behavioural functions (by morris water maze and elevated plus maze test). MCAO animals showed significant impairment in locomotor and cognitive functions. Neurobehavioural changes were accompanied by decreased acetylcholinesterase activity, increased oxidative stress in terms of enhanced lipid peroxidation and lowered thiol levels in the MCAO animals. In addition, MCAO animals had cerebral infarcts and the presence of pycnotic nuclei. Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) of MCAO animals revealed a cerebral infarct as a hypoactive area. On the other hand, pre-supplementation with WS (300 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days to MCAO animals was effective in restoring the acetylcholinesterase activity, lipid peroxidation, thiols and attenuated MCAO induced behavioural deficits. WS significantly reduced the cerebral infarct volume and ameliorated histopathological alterations. Improved blood flow was observed in the SPECT images from the brain regions of ischemic rats pre-treated with WS. The results of the study showed a protective effect of WS supplementation in ischemic stroke and are suggestive of its potential application in stroke management.

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Abbreviations

AChE:

Acetylcholinesterase

WS :

Withania somnifera

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

T-SHs:

Total thiols

LMW-SHs:

Low molecular weight thiols

P-SHs:

Protein thiols

TTC:

2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial assistance received from the University Grants Commission (New-Delhi) under Basic Science Research (BSR) scheme-Special Assistance Programme (SAP) and Department of Science and Technology (DST, New-Delhi) under DST-FIST Programme. The authors also acknowledge Dabur India Private Limited (Ghaziabad, India) for providing hydro-alcoholic root extract of WS for research purpose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Abhilasha Sood & Rajat Sandhir

  2. Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh, India

    Aditya Kumar

  3. Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Devinder K. Dhawan

  4. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Devinder K. Dhawan & Rajat Sandhir

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  1. Abhilasha Sood
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Correspondence to Rajat Sandhir.

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Sood, A., Kumar, A., Dhawan, D.K. et al. Propensity of Withania somnifera to Attenuate Behavioural, Biochemical, and Histological Alterations in Experimental Model of Stroke. Cell Mol Neurobiol 36, 1123–1138 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-015-0305-4

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