The Neuroprotective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Satureja hortensis on Infarct Volume and Neurologic Deficits in Rat Stroke Model

Stroke is the third cause of mortality and the first cause of disability in the world. During ischemia, free radical production increases. Antioxidants can prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Because Satureja hortensis contain antioxidant compounds, in this study we discussed the effect of Satureja hortensis on infarct volume and neurological defects. In the present experimental study, thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=7). The control group (receiving distilled water + induction ischemia), three experimental groups (receiving hydroalcholic extract of Satureja hortensis with doses of 50, 75 and 100mg/kg plus induction of ischemia) and the sham group (receiving distilled water + no induction of ischemia). The pretreatment was performed for 30 days, orally via gavage. Every day, animals were treated once and at 11-10 am. Ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed by Longa et al method. This model resulted local ischemic stroke for sixty minutes. The volume of tissue infracts analysis was done by Image Tool software and neurological deficits score analysis by behavioral evaluation in the studied groups. The corrected infract volumes were analyzed by SPSS version 18 software by LSD method and neurologic deficits analysis by Mann-Whitney U, and P<0.05 was considered significant. Obtained Data indicated that pretreatment of Satureja hortensis reduced the total volume of tissue infract in three groups receiving the extract with 50mg/kg (150.52±4.29), 75mg/kg (136.18±5.98) and 100mg/kg (106.83±5.22) doses compared to control (196.9±3.85) groups (p<0.001). Extracts reduced neurological deficit scores in the two groups receiving the doses 75(1.58±0.26) and 100mg/kg (1±0.31) of extracts, compared to the control (3.28±0.28) group (p=0.001). It appeared that Satureja hortensis due to the reduced volume of tissue damage and neurological disorders lead to the protective effect against stroke damage.