4-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol Ameliorates Cerebral Injury in Rats by Antioxidant Action

Abstract

4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA), one of the phenolic constituents found in many herbal medicinal plants, exhibits beneficial effects in neurological disorders. In the present study, we evaluated 4-HBA's role in transient cerebral ischemia and its potential mechanism. Pre-treatment with 4-HBA (50,100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the cerebral infarct size and improved the neurological symptoms. Morphological examinations showed 4-HBA reduced the number of degenerated neurons. Oxidative stress was evaluated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Anti-oxidative mechanisms were studied by Immunofluorescence staining and western immunoblot analysis. 4-HBA increased the expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) and ultimately inhibited oxidative stress. In addition, we evaluated the time course expression of NQO1, which was upregulated in the ischemic brain beginning at 1 h. Taken together, these results suggested that 4-HBA ameliorated cerebral injury in rats, This neuroprotective effect is likely related to its antioxidant activities.

4-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol Prevents Epileptogenesis As Well As Neuronal Damage in Amygdaloid Kindled Seizures

“…Meanwhile, 25 mg/kg 4-HBA only shortened the ADD and 100 mg/kg 4-HBA had no effect on either the progression of kindling or the ADD. This antiepileptogenic function of 4-HBA may be dose-related, which is similar to the neuroprotective effect of 4-HBA on transient focal cerebral ischemia [11]. In that study, the middle dose (50 mg/kg 4-HBA) showed more significantly reduced infarction and neurological deficits than the other doses (25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg).…”

“…On the contrary, the anti-epileptogenic action of 4-HBA is likely to be related to its neuroprotective effect. Previous studies suggested 4-HBA confers neuroprotection through upregulation of antioxidant protein expression [10], anti-apoptosis [11] and by reducing lipid peroxidation [22]. Protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation are recognized as the contributors to epileptogenesis [23,24].…”

“…Abbreviations: CA1, hippocampal CA1 cell layers; CA3, hippocampal CA3 cell layers; DG, hilus of the dentate gyrus; EntCx, entorhinal cortex; PirCx, piriform cortex. 4-HBA has been known as a neuroprotective agent [10][11][12]20,22,25,26], and has been shown to decrease neuronal loss in the Li-pilocarpine model [8]. However, there was no evidence that 4-HBA had neuroprotective effects in the amygdaloid kindled model.…”

“…4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA) is one of the bioactive components in G. elata extracts, and it has pharmacological effects that are similar to G. elata [9]. Previous studies have shown that 4-HBA exhibits neuroprotective effects, including antioxidant [10,11], antiapoptosis [12] and antiangiogenic functions [13,14]. Thus, based on the evidence above, we hypothesize that 4-HBA, the main component of G. elata, also have an anticonvulsive effect, making it a potential target for treating epilepsy.…”

Combination effect ofp-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and mesenchymal stem cells on the recovery of brain damage in a rat model of brain ischemia

“…HBA has received attention as a neuroprotective agent due to its anti-oxidative, anti-excitotoxic, and anti-apoptosis abilities (Liu & Mori 1992;Dhiman et al 2009;Yu et al 2010;Yu et al 2011). The effect of HBA on functional recovery may be related to the increased expression of neurotrophic factor genes (Yu et al 2005;Kam et al 2011).…”