Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and alpha-tocopherol on reperfusion injury in rat brain

Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral injury after ischaemia-reperfusion. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis extract, exhibits antioxidant properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion on rat brain and to investigate the effects of two free radical scavengers, CAPE and alpha-tocopherol, on this in vivo model of cerebral injury. Ischaemia was induced by bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries for 20 min and reperfusion was achieved by releasing the occlusion to restore the circulation for 20 min. Control rats underwent a sham operation. CAPE at 10 micromol kg(-1) or alpha-tocopherol at 25 micromol kg(-1) was administered intraperitoneally before reperfusion. Reperfusion led to significant increase in the activity of xanthine oxidase and higher malondialdehyde levels in the brain. Acute administration of both CAPE and alpha-tocopherol suppressed ischaemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral lipid peroxidation and injury, but CAPE seems to offer a better therapeutic advantage over alpha-tocopherol.