Neuroprotective action of 9-hydroxypinoresinol from Butterbur, a traditional vegetable.

Objective: Very recently, petaslignolide A, corresponding to 9-hydroxypinoresinol(9-HP) glycoside from butterbur, traditional vegetable, was observed to show a remarkable neuroprotective effect through antioxidant action in brain tissue, in contrast to a negligible neuroprotection by pinoresinol glycoside. The aim of present study is to assess the neuroprotective action of 9-HP against oxidative damage in the brain of mice treated with kainic acid(KA), and to examine the mode by which 9-HP demonstrates neuroprotective action. Methods: Male ICR mice were administered i.p. with 9-HP before KA injection.. Biomarkers of oxidative stress for the biochemical, neurobehavioral, morphological evaluations were analyzed. Results: A remarkable neuroprotection was observed with a single administration (30 mg/kg) of 9-HP 24 h, but not 2 h, before KA challenge. Furthermore, 9-HP (20 mg/kg), administered for 3 days before KA challenge, reduced the lethality (60 %) induced by KA to none, and remarkably alleviated behavioral signs of KA neurotoxicity. Additionally, 9-HP pretreatment prevented the decrease in total glutathione (GSH) and TBARS. Furthermore, GSH-peroxidase activity in brain tissue was restored to control level. Conclusion: From these results, it is proposed that 9-HP exerts a potent neuroprotection mainly by preventing oxidative stress in brain tissue of mice challenged with KA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]