chrysin and Spinal-Cord-Injuries

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of chrysin in an experimental rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by placing an aneurysm clip extradurally for 60 s at T10. The rats received treatment with either vehicle (SCI control) or chrysin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days. The various behavioral, biochemical and molecular parameters were determined. Chronic treatment with chrysin (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently (P < 0.05) attenuated the decrease in body weight, urine output, footprint analysis, sperm count and organ weight (testis, seminal vesicle and urinary bladder). It significantly improved (P < 0.05) the nociceptive threshold, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity. The decreased activity of superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and membrane-bound inorganic phosphate were significantly (P < 0.05) restored by chrysin treatment. SCI resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in lipid peroxidase, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and bax whereas expression of bcl-2 and caspase-3 were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. These changes were significantly reduced by treatment with chrysin (20 and 40 mg/kg, P < 0.05). Histological aberration induced after SCI in spinal cord, testis, kidney and urinary bladder were restored by treatment with chrysin (20 and 40 mg/kg). In conclusion, chrysin is a potential flavone-possessing antioxidant and its antiapoptotic property caused the subsequent recovery of both motor and sensory functions via modulation of endogenous biomarkers and neuronal apoptosis to inhibit the incidence of neurological deficits due to SCI.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Biomarkers; Caspase 3; Flavonoids; Glutathione; Interleukin-1beta; Male; Models, Animal; Neuroprotective Agents; Nitric Oxide; Peroxidase; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Cord Injuries; Superoxide Dismutase; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Chrysin (CH), a natural plant flavonoid, has shown a variety of beneficial effects. Our present study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CH three days after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and to probe the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms. SCI was induced using the modified weight-drop method in Wistar rats. Then, they were treated with saline or CH by doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg for 26 days. Neuronal function was assessed with the Basso Beattle Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB). The water content of spinal cord was determined after traumatic SCI. The NF-κB p65 unit, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in serums, as well as the apoptotic marker, caspase-3, of spinal cord tissues were measured using commercial kits. The protein level and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by western blot and a commercial kit, respectively. NO (nitric oxide) production was evaluated by the determination of nitrite concentration. The rats with SCI showed marked reductions in BBB scores, coupled with increases in the water content of spinal cord, the NF-κB p65 unit, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, NO production and caspase-3. However, a CH supplement dramatically promoted the recovery of neuronal function and suppressed the inflammatory factors, as well as the iNOS pathway in rats with SCI. Our findings disclose that CH improved neural function after SCI in rats, which might be linked with suppressing inflammation and the iNOS pathway.

Topics: Animals; Caspase 3; Flavonoids; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Neuroprotective Agents; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spinal Cord Injuries; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha