Neuroprotective effect of rice bran extract supplemented with ferulic acid in the rat model of ischemic brain injury

Abstract

Cerebral ischemia is clinically characterized by a partial functional neurological deficit, which represents one of the leading causes of death. This study aimed to determine whether rice bran extract (RB), ferulic acid (FA), or rice bran extract supplemented with FA (RB + FA) promote functional recovery from ischemic injury. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Four groups were studied, including (1) vehicle group, (2) RB 5%, 10%, and 20% groups, (3) FA group, and (4) RB + FA group. Animals were injected with RB or FA once a day for 3 days after MCAO. In this study's results, the RB 20% and FA groups significantly improved neurological functions compared with the vehicle group. The RB + FA group produced more recovery from functional deficits than the other groups. Moreover, the RB 20%, FA, and RB + FA groups enhanced the antiapoptotic effect in the cortex and neural cell densities in the hippocampal DG and CA1. The RB 20%, FA, and RB + FA groups stimulated not only the expression of neurotrophic factor and antioxidant genes but also neuronal nuclei (NeuN), synaptophysin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) proteins. Our finding indicates that the combination of RB + FA treatment showed the most synergic effect in functional recovery with ischemic brain through the stimulation of the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor NeuN, SYP, and GAD67 expressions.