Neuroprotective Functions of Alpinia galanga in Forebrain Ischemia Induced Neuronal Damage and Oxidative Insults in Rat Hippocampus

Abstract

Introduction:The rhizomes of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd (Zingiberaceae) commonly known as greater galangal, a ginger substitute for food and was traditionally used as nervine tonic and stimulant. The present study was designed to screen the neuroprotective role of hydroalcoholic extract of rhizome of Alpinia galanga (HAAG) in transient forebrain ischemia induced neuronal damage and oxidative injury in the rat brain. Materials and Method: The transient forebrain ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in anesthetized rats for 60 min, followed by reperfusion injury. The transient forebrain ischemia induced neuronal damage and oxidative stress was assessed by estimating the percentage survival neurons in the Cornu ammonis CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus, MDA levels and antioxidant enzymes activities in the brain homogenate. Open field, actophotometer and grip strength tests were used for behavioral assessment. Recovery in spontaneous motor activity in actophotometer test and number of squares crossed and rearing behavior in the open field test are indicators of cognitive enhancement after treatment with Alpinia galanga. Results and Discussion: Treatment with Alpinia galanga attenuated the delayed neuronal death in the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus. Reduced post-ischemic brain tissue MDA levels at both the drug doses and increased antioxidant enzyme such as glutathione peroxidase at a higher dose was also noted, which indicates Alpinia galanga is neuroprotective against ischemic hippocampal injury. The present study demonstrated that treatment with HAAG attenuated forebrain ischemic reperfusion induced neuronal injury and oxidative stress in hippocampus. Conclusion: Treatment with Alpinia galanga may have the potential to be used as a protective agent in forebrain ischemic injury.

Neuroprotective Assessment of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract against Oxidative-Stress-Induced Cytotoxicity in SHSY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

“…ARE acts as a suppressor of lipid peroxidation in the brain by preserving the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, catalase, and other antioxidant molecules such as glutathione, which could reduce oxidative stress. Aqueous and alcoholic extract of ARE was shown to be a powerful scavenger of ROS that encouraged the progression of neurodegenerative disorders [ 34 ].…”

Galangal, the multipotent super spices: A comprehensive review

“…In India, the galangal rhizome, usually called raasna, is applied in several Ayurvedic formulations to threat rheumatism and inflammatory disorders and is also employed for the treatment of other ailments such as diabetes, dementia and neurodegenerative diseases (L. Arambewela & Wijesinghe, 2006;L. S. Arambewela, Arawwawala, Owen, & Jarvis, 2007;Indrayan, et al, 2009;Mundugaru, Sivanesan, Udaykumar, Prabhu, & Ravishankar, 2018;Ravindran, Pillai, Balachandran, & Divakaran, 2012). Galangal is one of the rejuvenator herbs included in preparations used to treat some chronic diseases (Srivastava & Shanker, 2012).…”

Ethanol extract of galangal (Alpinia Galanga) administration on degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cells in the proximal tubules of male mice (Mus musculus) exposed to lead acetate

“…One plant with natural antioxidants is red ginger (Alpinia galanga). Red ginger as a herbal medicine has the potential to be anti-inflammatory and also reduce lipid peroxidation [10]. Red ginger contains flavonoid compounds, tannins, quinones, steroids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids.…”