The protective effects of Cyperus rotundus on behavior and cognitive function in a rat model of hypoxia injury

Dhas Jebasingh, Dhas Devavaram Jackson, S. Venkataraman, Ernest Adeghate, Bright Starling Emerald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Context: Hypoxia injury (HI) with its long-term neurological complications is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Currently, the treatment regimens for hypoxia are aimed only at ameliorating the damage without complete cure. The need, therefore, for novel therapeutic drugs to treat HI continues. Objective: This study investigates the protective effects of the ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) (EECR), a medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia in rats. Materials and methods: We have evaluated the protective effect of 200 and 400mg/kg of EECR against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia injury in rats by assessing the cognitive functions, motor, and behavioral effects of EECR treatment along with the histological changes in the brain. By comparing the protective effects of standard drugs galantamine, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor and pyritinol, an antioxidant nootropic drug against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia in rats, we have tested the protective ability of EECR. Results: EECR at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg was able to protect against the cognitive impairments, and the locomotor activity and muscular coordination defects, which are affected by sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia injury in rats. Conclusion: Based on our results, we suggest that the medicinal herb C. rotundus possesses a protective effect against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia in rats. Further studies on these protective effects of EECR may help in designing better therapeutic regimes for hypoxia injury.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1558-1569
Number of pages12
JournalPharmaceutical Biology
Volume52
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2014

Keywords

  • EECR
  • Galantamine
  • Neuroprotection
  • Pyritinol
  • Sodium nitrite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Drug Discovery
  • Complementary and alternative medicine

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