The neuroprotective effect of eupatilin against ischemia/reperfusion-induced delayed neuronal damage in mice

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from the Artemisia plant species, has been reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated whether eupatilin exhibits neuroprotective activities against ischemia/reperfusion-induced delayed neuronal injury in mice. Transient global cerebral ischemia was induced in mice by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 15 min followed by reperfusion for 4 days. Eupatilin (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered immediately after the reperfusion. Histochemical studies showed that eupatilin (10 mg/kg) increased the number of viable cells detected by Nissl staining and decreased the number of degenerating neuronal cells detected by Fluoro-Jade B staining in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blotting indicated that eupatilin further increased the level of Akt phosphorylation at 8h after BCCAO. Furthermore, wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, attenuated the eupatilin-induced increase of Akt phosphorylation. In addition, wortmannin completely reversed the eupatilin-induced neuroprotective effects observed at 4 days after reperfusion. These findings suggest that eupatilin is a promising therapeutic agent against global cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damage and that its neuroprotective effects may be mediated in part by increased Akt phosphorylation.