Protective effect of vanillin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative brain injury in rats

This study investigated the protective effects of vanillin against acute brain damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rats. The study was performed on 32 male rats divided into four groups: a control group, vanillin group ([Va] 150 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) and CCl₄ toxication groups received a single injection of CCl₄ (1 ml/kg, i.p.; CCl₄ and Va + CCl₄ groups). The degree of protection in brain tissue was evaluated by the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide (NO). Vanillin showed a significant brain-protective effect by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation and NO₂ and elevated the activities of antioxidative enzymes and level of GSH. Consequently vanillin blocked oxidative brain damage induced by CCl₄ in rats.