Neuroprotective Effect of Metaplexis japonica against in vitro Ischemia Model

Abstract

Metaplexis japonica (Apocynaceae) is a perennial herb, extensively used in traditional medicinal system for various diseases. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of M. japonica against in vitro ischemia. In the present study, 70% ethanol extract of M. japonica was fractionated with different polarity solvents. For in vitro ischemia, oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD-R) in cells was used to investigate the effects of M. japonica and its fractions. For oxidative stress model, Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) induced cell death was studied in HT22 cell line. M. japonica and its fractions significantly reduced the HT22 cell damage, which was induced by 4 hrs of OGD followed by 24 hrs of reoxygenation and 24 hrs of H2 O2, respectively. The effectiveness of ethyl acetate fraction was higher than other fractions/crude extract. Our results suggest that M. japonica could be a neuroprotective agent for the treatment of stroke.

Key words: Metaplexis japonica, Stroke, Oxygen-glucose deprivation, Neuroprotection