Neuroprotective Effect of Quercetin during Cerebral Ischemic Injury Involves Regulation of Essential Elements, Transition Metals, Cu/Zn Ratio, and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Cerebral ischemia results in increased oxidative stress in the affected brain. Accumulating evidence suggests that quercetin possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The essential elements magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and transition metal iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) are required for brain functions. This study investigates whether the neuroprotective effects of quercetin on the ipsilateral brain cortex involve altered levels of essential trace metals, the Cu/Zn ratio, and antioxidant activity. Rats were intraperitoneally administered quercetin (20 mg/kg) once daily for 10 days before ischemic surgery. Cerebral ischemia was induced by ligation of the right middle cerebral artery and the right common carotid artery for 1 h. The ipsilateral brain cortex was homogenized and the supernatant was collected for biochemical analysis. Results show that rats pretreated with quercetin before ischemia significantly increased Mg, Zn, Se, SOD, and CAT levels, while the malondialdehyde, Fe, Cu, and the Cu/Zn ratio clearly decreased as compared to the untreated ligation subject. Taken together, our findings suggest that the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of quercetin during cerebral ischemic injury involve the modulation of essential elements, transition metals, Cu/Zn ratio, and antioxidant activity.

Protective effects of dietary quercetin on cerebral ischemic injury: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability-enhancing nanoformulations

“…Quercetin (20 mg kg −1 ) significantly increased Mg, Zn, Se, SOD and CAT levels in MCAO rats, while MDA, Fe, Cu and Cu/Zn ratios significantly decreased, suggesting that the neuroprotective effects of quercetin in cerebral ischemic injury include modulation of essential elements, transition metals, and Cu/Zn ratios. 102 Buyang Huanwu decoction, as a drug for the treatment and prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in clinical practice, can significantly inhibit the expression of IL-6 and increase the expression of HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Quercetin, as one of the key compounds of this decoction, showed the potential to protect against cerebral ischemia.…”

Epigallocatechin Gallate Modulates Essential Elements, Zn/Cu Ratio, Hazardous Metal, Lipid Peroxidation, and Antioxidant Activity in the Brain Cortex during Cerebral Ischemia

“…A clinical study reveals a relationship between elevated plasma Cu levels and the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease [ 38 ]. A variety of animal studies reveal the fact that cerebral ischemic injury results in an obviously elevated Cu concentration in the affected brain cortex tissues [ 8 , 17 , 18 , 39 ]. Likewise, our present finding proposes that cerebral ischemic insult leads to significant Cu overload in the ischemic brain.…”

An insight into the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects and mechanisms of Moringa oleifera

“…Moreover, Makita et al (2016) and Lin et al (2018) have revealed that the quercetin present is in significant amounts as glycosides associated with a variety of sugar moieties. The bioactive polyphenol structure of quercetin contribute to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties ( Lesjak et al, 2018 ; Lin et al, 2021 ). Based on an in vivo study, quercetin is highly permeable across the BBB ( Youdim et al, 2014 ).…”