Neuroprotective effects of crude extract of Crataegus songarica on a rat model of traumatic brain injury


 Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of Crataegus songarica extract (CSCE) against traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats, and underlying mechanism action.
 Methods: A rat model TBI was established via tracheal intubation procedure, rats were treated with graded doses CSCE. Neuronal survival determined by Nissl staining, while neuronal apoptosis measured using TUNEL-staining. Neurological impairments based on neurological severity score (NSS).
 Results: Treatment CSCE enhanced decreased TUNEL-positive cell fraction cortex. The treatment prevented elevation NSS suppressed mRNA protein expression levels IL-6 TNF-α Moreover, TBI-mediated suppression activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) glutathione peroxidase (GPx), attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) down-regulated NF-κB expression, increased Nrf2 up-regulated expressions heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) quinine oxidoreductase (NQO-1).
 Conclusion: These results suggest that prevents reduction inhibits cortical death rats. It improves inflammatory response activation pathway targeting expression. Therefore, is a potential therapeutic agent for TBI.