Research Article - Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015) Volume 5, Issue 51

Exploring the possible role of date fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera, L) extract in amelioration of stroke in rats

Background: Considerable morbidity and mortality are associated with stroke and approximately 5.7 million deaths reported due to stroke every year. Restoration of blood flow to ischemic brain is associated with generation of reactive oxygen radicals. Date fruits are an integral part of food and they possess antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-stress properties. Purpose: The present study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of sukari variety of date fruits on acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced oxidative stress and histopathological alteration in rats. Methods: Acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was produced in rats by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 4 hrs. Various groups of rats i.e group 1 to 6 were subjected to pretreatment for 30 days followed by induction of ischemia-reperfusion 1 hour after last dose. Group 7 was given L-NAME just 30 minutes before surgery. However group 2, sham operated control underwent all the processes except surgery. At the end of study half of rats from all groups were sacrificed for estimation of various biomarkers in brain homogenates and rest were sacrificed for brain histopathological examination. Results: The surgery group showed altered levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondioalhyde when compared to sham control. Pretreatment for 30 days with extract prevented this reperfusion-induced rise in these biomarkers dose dependently. Histopathological examination of TTC stained coronal sections of brains showed a reduction in infarct area dose dependently by DFE. The results suggest that aqueous extract of sukari dates may be useful in treatment of cerebral reperfusion injury and may be useful in prevention of stroke. This protective effect may be attributed to its antioxidant properties. Conclusions: Aqueous extract of sukari dates offer neuroprotective effect against ischemia-reperfusion induced injury and may offer potential benefits in the management of stroke.

Author(s): Ibrahim Ali Awwad, shalam mohamed Hussain

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