Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_471
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987251

Neuroprotective effects of a butanol fraction prepared from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten

C Jin 1, SY Jung 2, SM Lee 1, HJ Kim 1, J Cho 3, YS Lee 2
  • 1Bioanalysis and Biotransformation Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 130–650, Korea
  • 2College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130–701, Korea
  • 3College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, 780–714, Korea

The methanol extract [1] and butanol fraction [2] prepared from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. var. saboten Makino (Cactaceae) and their antioxidative constituents [3] were shown to exert neuroprotective effects against oxidative injuries induced in cortical cell cultures. Given the suggested role of free radicals in neuronal death after ischemic stroke, we attempted to examine neuroprotective effects of the butanol fraction (OFB901) prepared from 50% ethanol extract of the stems in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery for 2 hr with a silicone-coated 4–0 nylon monofilament in male Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia. OFB901 was administered at a dose of 100, 200, 300 or 500mg/kg (p.o., twice/day) starting 2 hr after reperfusion for 7 or 14 days. Seven serial coronal slices of the brain were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and infarct size was measured using a computerized image analyzer. In the 7-day treatment regimen, OFB901 significantly reduced both infarct volume and brain shrinkage only at a dose of 300mg/kg compared with a vehicle-treated control group, producing neurobehavioral recovery effect. In the 14-day treatment regimen, OFB901 produced significant neuroprotective effects at doses of both 200 and 300mg/kg, showing enhanced neuroprotective potency than in the 7-day treatment regimen. The results suggest that the butanol fraction prepared from Opuntia-ficus indica var. saboten can be developed as a potential oral neuroprotective agent by providing neuroprotection against chronic focal ischemic brain injury.

Acknowledgements: This research was supported by a grant (PF0320202–01) from Plant Diversity Research Center of 21st Century Frontier Research Program funded by Ministry of Science and Technology of Korean Government.

References: [1] Wie, M.-B. (2000) Yakhak Hoiji, 44: 613–619. [2] Cho, J. et al. (2007) Biol. Pharm. Bull. Submitted. [3] Dok-Go, H. et al. (2003) Brain Res. 965: 130–136.