Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory protective mechanisms of <i>Gmelina arborea</i> stem bark extract on ischemic reperfusion injury in albino Wistar rats

Abstract

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Gemlina arborea Roxb. ex.’s entire plant is utilized in medicine to treat several diseases. Objective and design Cerebral infarction occurs through multiple mechanisms, and herbs are natural multi-component with numerous protective mechanisms. This research investigates the neuroprotective effect of Gemlina arborea stem bark extract in preventing cerebral infarction. Methodology Male albino Wistar rats were inducted with ischemic injury using the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion method. Neurological effects were examined by motor defects, locomotor activity, and forced swim test, while biochemical activities of the brain oxidative stress biomarkers studied include; (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase levels, glutathione levels, total calcium levels, and sodium-potassium-ATPase) and histopathological examination. Western blotting analysis was used to study the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Results The elevated oxidative stress biomarkers in the treated group showed extract-inhibited cerebral infarction. Histological examination shows inhibited neutrophil migration and cell damage. The western blot assay depicts reductions in the inflammatory indicators (p38 MAPK, TNF- α) and attenuation of apoptotic mediators (Bcl2/Bax ratio), down-regulation of caspase-3 expression, and a significantly raised anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10 and actin) in a dose-dependent manner, suggested potential mechanisms by which the extract prevented ischemic reperfusion injury. Conclusion Overall, the estimation of inflammatory and apoptotic mediators revealed the involvement of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Gmelina arborea stem bark extract in preventing cerebral infarction.