Neuroprotective effect of Decalepis hamiltonii roots against ethanol-induced oxidative stress

The neuroprotective potential of the aqueous extract of the roots of Decalepis hamiltonii (D. hamiltonii root aqueous extract-DHRAE) was studied against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain. Ethanol, single dose (5 g/kg body weight), induced oxidative stress in the rat brain which was evident from the increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, reduced glutathione, and suppressed activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Pretreatment of rats with multiple doses of DHRAE, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., for 7 consecutive days significantly prevented the ethanol-induced oxidative stress. DHRAE, as such, boosted the antioxidant status of the rat brain. The neuroprotective potential of DHRAE can be attributed to the known antioxidant constituents or its interaction with antioxidant response elements (AREs) which needs to be ascertained.