Of late, researchers have taken interest in alternative medicines for the treatment of brain ischemic stroke, where full recovery is rarely seen despite advanced medical technologies. Due to its antioxidant activity, Echinochrome A (Ech A), a natural compound found in sea urchins, has acquired attention as an alternative clinical trial source for the treatment of ischemic stroke. The current study demonstrates considerable potential of Ech A as a medication for cerebral ischemic injury. To confirm the effects of Ech A on the recovery of the injured region and behavioral decline, Ech A was administered through the external carotid artery in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model after reperfusion. The expression level of cell viability-related factors was also examined to confirm the mechanism of brain physiological restoration. Based on the results obtained, we propose that Ech A ameliorates the physiological deterioration by its antioxidant effect which plays a protective role against cell death, subsequent to post cerebral ischemic stroke.
Keywords: brain ischemic stroke; cell survival; echinochrome A.