Neuroprotective effect corilagin in spinal cord injury rat model by inhibiting nuclear factor-kB, inflammation and apoptosis

Background: Neurological functions get altered in a patient suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI). Present study evaluates the neuroprotective effect of corilagin in spinal cord injury rats by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inflammatory mediators and apoptosis.Materials and method: Spinal cord injury was produced by mechanical injury to spinal cord. All the rats were treated with corilagin (10 & 15 mg/kg, ip) for the duration of 4 week. Neurological functions were evaluated in all the rats by Basso,Beattie and Brenahan scale (BBB scale). Moreover, at the end of treatment rats were sacrificed and expression of NF-κB, concentration of cytokines like Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) & interlukin-6 (IL6) and oxidative stress parameters like Malondialdehyde (MDA) and toal antioxidant capacity (TAC) in spinal tissue of spinal cord injured rats. Immunohistological study was also performed to assess the apoptosis of neuronal cell.Result: There were significant (p<0.01) increase in BBB score and decrease in delayed response to pain in corilagin treated group compared to SCI group. It was also observed that treatment with corilagin significantly (p<0.01) decreases the concentration of TNF α, IL 6 & MDA in spinal tissues than SCI group. Moreover, it also decreases the TAC in spinal tissues compared to spinal cord injured rats and also ameliorates the altered expressions of NF-κB. Immunohistochemical result suggested that treatment with corilagin decreases the number of caspase-3 & Bax positive stain cell and increase in Bcl-2 positive stained cell than spinal cord injured rats. Thus, corilagin decreases the apoptosis of neuronal cell in spinal cord injured rats.Conclusion: This study concludes the neuroprotective effect of corilagin in spinal cord injured rats by decreasing cytokines, oxidative stress & expression of NF-κB in spinal tissues and thereby decreases the apoptosis of neuronal cells.Keywords: Corilagin, spinal cord, inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), apoptosi