Caffeic acid effects on oxidative stress in rat hippocampus after pilocarpine-induced seizures

Neurol Sci. 2011 Jun;32(3):375-80. doi: 10.1007/s10072-010-0420-4. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the caffeic acid (CA) effects against the oxidative stress (OS) observed during seizures. Wistar rats were intraperitoneally treated with either 0.9% saline (control), CA (4 mg/kg), pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, pilocarpine group), or the association of CA (4 mg/kg) plus pilocarpine (400 mg/kg). The thiobarbituric-acid-reacting substances and the hippocampal nitrite content were significantly increased (89 and 94%, respectively) in pilocarpine group when compared with control. There were marked decreases in lipid peroxidation level (43%) and nitrite content (45%) in CA group when compared with pilocarpine group. There were no marked alterations in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in pilocarpine group; however, the SOD and CAT activities were significantly increased (35 and 51%, respectively) after CA pretreatment. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that OS was indeed generated in hippocampus. CA pretreatment can reduces the OS produced by seizures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy / metabolism*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Nerve Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • caffeic acid