Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world, where conventional treatments have not yet been able to completely improve the disease. Therefore, the search for alternative methods can be effective in reducing the complications of this disease. Gundelia tournefortii L is a medicinal plant with strong antioxidant effects. Due to the antioxidant effects of this plant, it seems that it can be used as a suitable candidate for the treatment of stroke.
Methods: In this experimental study, 16 groups of 7 male Wistar rats weighing 250-275 grams were used; these included sham groups; stroke groups, and groups with stroke which receiving doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day from hydroalcoholic extract of Gundelia tournefortii L for 30 days and orally by gavage. Two hours after the last gavage, the stroke groups were subjected to the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model. 24 hours later, the volume of stroke and the blood-brain barrier permeability (BBB) were investigated in the experimental groups. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Analyzes were performed using the Graph Pad Prism software. Data comparison was performed using Tukey test and T-test. Data were expressed as means ± SEM.
Results: The results of this study clearly showed that the stroke group had a significant increase in stroke volume and permeability of the BBB compared to the sham group (P<0.001). Pre-treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Gundelia tournefortii L with doses of 50 mg/kg/day (P<0.05) and 100 mg/kg/day (P<0.01) reduced stroke size compared to the stroke group; Also, the dose of 50mg/kg /day of extract reduced the permeability of BBB compared with the stroke group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study show that Gundelia tournefortii L extract in doses 50 and 100 mg/kg/day has a significant potential for stroke prevention. This study could be useful in further investigating of neuroprotective effect of Gundelia tournefortii L.