Effect of different combinations of neuroprotectors on neurological deficit, motor and orientation-research activity, cognitive functions during experimental ischemic stroke

Abstract

Annotation. Today, the maximum efforts of scientists are aimed at preserving the functional capacity and restoring neurons in the ischemic penumbra zone by developing new methods of neuroprotection, one of such approaches could be the combination of different neuroprotectors according to the mechanism of action. The purpose of the study is to study the effect of different combinations of neuroprotectors on neurological deficits, motor and orientation-research activity, and cognitive functions during experimental ischemic stroke. The study was conducted in the modelling of acute stroke according to the ischemic type on non-linear male rats by bilateral ligation of the internal carotid arteries. The four most effective combinations of neuroprotective complexes were selected as neuroprotective complexes (NPC) under investigation: cerebrolysin + mexidol; cerebrolysin + citicoline; cerebrolysin + edaravone; cerebrolysin + choline alfoscerate, which were previously discovered after screening the therapeutic effectiveness of various neuroprotectors and their combinations. Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of NPC was carried out on the 4th and 7th day of therapy. Neurological deficits were assessed using the McGraw Stroke Index. Locomotor and orientation-research activity was determined in the “open field” test. Cognitive functions were investigated in the extrapolation release test. The study of the cerebroprotective properties of four different combinations of neuroprotectors on an experimental model of an ischemic impression of the brain based on indicators of neurological deficit, locomotor and orientation-research activity, and cognitive functions made it possible to identify the most effective combinations and arrange them in order of decreasing effectiveness: NPC № 2 ≥ NPC №1 > NPC №4 ≥ NPC №3.