Protective effect of extract of Bletilla striata on isoflurane induced neuronal injury by altering PI3K/Akt pathway

Abstract

Abstract Background Present investigation evaluates the neuroprotective effect of Bletilla striata on isoflurane induced neuronal injury rat model. Methodology Neuronal injury was induced by exposing the pups (P7) isoflurane (0.75%) in oxygen (30%) for the period of 6 hr and rats were treated with Bletilla striata at a dose of 35, 70 and 140 mg/kg, p.o. for the period of 21 days. At the end of protocol neurological score was estimated and serum concentration of inflammatory cytokines was estimated. Isolated brains tissue was prepared to perform immunohistochemical analysis, TUNEL assay and western blot assay. Results Result of the study reveals that treatment with BS significantly (p<0.01) reduces the neurological score compared to negative control group. Level of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and the expression of p-Akt, Bcl-xL and Bad protein were significantly attenuated in BS treated group. Moreover the cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cell was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in BS treated group compared to negative control group of rats. Conclusion Present study concludes that ethanolic extract of Bletilla striata protects the neuronal injury by reducing apoptosis in isoflurane induced neuronal injury rats.