Protective Effects of Cherry Extract on Malondialdehyde Levels, Catalase Activity, and Edema Induced by Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in a Rat Stroke Model

The neurological damage caused by stroke is a leading cause of severe long-term disability. The production of ideal drugs in the treatment of stroke is still a major problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate some protective effects of cherry extract against oxidative stress and edema volume caused by stroke.

In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were used; including 2 control groups of saline, 2 sham groups, 2 non-treated stroke groups, and stroke groups received cherry extract at doses of 175, 200, and 225 mg/kg/day. After 30 days of oral gavage of the extract, the animals were exposed to middle cerebral artery occlusion for one hour. After 24 hours of reperfusion, the malondialdehyde level, catalase activity, and edema volume of the cortex and the sub-cortical tissue were investigated.

Cherry extract at doses of 175 and 200 mg/kg significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde and edema volume in the cortex and subcortex. This extract at a dose of 225 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of malondialdehyde in the cortex and sub-cortical tissue and significantly decreased the volume of edema in the cortex. Besides, cherry extract at 175 mg/kg increased catalase activity in both cortical and subcortical regions.

The study showed that oral administration of the cherry extract exerts neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and the edema formation resulted from middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model in a dose-dependent manner.