Protective effect of Triticum aestivum L. extract and its component, starch, in rat focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the world. But few drugs are used in the clinical setting against stroke. When treated for 7 days before ischemic insult, a preparation of Triticum aestivum L. extract (TALE) and its starch fraction reduced the ischemic area and therefore was effective as a preventive drug. In the ischemic brain, the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, increased neutrophil infiltration and microglial activation were observed. By treating the animals with TALE, ICAM-1 and neutrophils were both reduced. In addition, microglial activation was also attenuated by TALE. Brain edema formation and blood brain barrier disruption were not prevented by TALE treatment, however. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction was also not inhibited by TALE. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that TALE has a neuroprotective effect in an animal model of brain ischemia. TALE may act by preventing neutrophil or microglia related inflammation in ischemic brain. These results suggest that TALE can be used as a medicinal material for the development of neuroprotective agents in ischemic brain injury.