Neuroprotective Effect of Alpha-Pinene on Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Ischemic stroke is a severe neurological disorder that affected millions of people worldwide. Recent studies have shown that alpha-pinene has antioxidant effects during cerebral ischemia. The present study investigated the probable protective effects of alpha-pinene on brain infarction and neurological disability after a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

30adult male Wistar rats whose weight ranged from 250 to 350 g were divided into five groups including a control group, a sham group, and three treatment groups. For ischemic stroke induction, the middle cerebral artery was occluded for 60 min followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Alpha-pinene was injected intraperitoneally at the beginning of reperfusion. The neurologic outcome, infarct volume 2, 3, 5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, and histological studies were done 24 hours after the end of artery occlusion.

The results showed that the application of alpha-pinene (50 and 100 mg/kg) led to a significant decrease in the infarct size as well as an improvement in neurobehavioral function. Moreover, alpha-pinene reduced the number of damaged neurons in the ischemic area.

The findings of the current study indicated that olive oil effectively reduced ischemia, promoted reperfusion, and improved neurological outcomes. Olive oil is a potent neuroprotective factor that may prevent neurodegeneration of transient focal ischemia at the beginning of reperfusion at ischemic areas.