Evaluation of neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera against chemical ischemia/reperfusion in PC12 cells.

Withania somnifera has been used as a prescription for stress, arthritis, inflammation, conjunctivitis and tuberculosis. Present study was undertaken to investigate the neuroprotective effect of root extract of W. somnifera against invitro chemical ischemia/reperfusion in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Effect of W. somnifera (100-1000 µg/ml) against in vitro chemical ischemia/reperfusion in PC12 cells was evaluated using an XTT assay, LDH release assay, and DNA fragmentation assay. The antioxidant properties of W. somnifera extract was also investigated using a DPPH assay. The W. somnifera extract protects PC12 cells against in vitro ischemia/reperfusion in a dose-dependent manner and gave significant protection at 400 and 1000 µg/ml concentration, as shown by XTT assay and LDH leakage assay. W. somnifera was also found to have an anti- apoptotic effect and antioxidant activity, as shown by DNA fragmentation assay and DPPH assay which may be contributing to protection of PC12 cells against ischemia/reperfusion. W. somnifera possess considerable neuroprotective effect against in vitro chemical ischemia/reperfusion in PC12 cells and this shows that it may be useful in treatment of ischemic stroke.

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