Abstract
BackgroundThe brain is secondarily harmed by pathological, physiological, and biological reactions that are caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rhein, a significant composition of Rhubarb, is a well-known traditional Chinese treatment method and has a strong oxidation-resisting characteristic, but Rhein’s mechanism remains unclear.MethodsThis study aimed to identify Rhein in the brain tissues of TBI model of rats, and confirm whether Rhein induced an antioxidative effect similar to its parent medicine, Rhubarb. First, the ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was applied to identify Rhein in the brain tissue of the controlled cortical impact (CCI) rats after intra-gastric administration of Rhubarb. Further, for the purpose of calculating the oxidant stress of the CCI rats, the malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione disulfide (GSSG), as well as the proportion of glutathione (GSH)/GSSG were measured in the brain tissues.ResultsThe results showed that Rhein was absorbed in the brain tissues of CCI rats. Rhubarb and rhein elevated the SOD, CAT activities, GSH level, and GSH/GSSG ratio, and diminished the MDA and GSSG levels.ConclusionThe data demonstrated that Rhubarb and Rhein had the potential to be used as a neuroprotective drug for TBI, and that Rhein induced an antioxidative effect similar to its parent medicine, Rhubarb.
Highlights
The brain is secondarily harmed by pathological, physiological, and biological reactions that are caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI)
We found that Rhein was identified in brain tissue of cortical impact (CCI) rat
The present study demonstrated that Rhein was absorbed into the brain tissues of rats with TBI after gavage administration of Rhubarb using UPLC-MS/MS method
Summary
The brain is secondarily harmed by pathological, physiological, and biological reactions that are caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-threatening disease worldwide [1]. Most Chinese people suffer from TBI due to injuries sustained at the sport grounds during exercise, or accidental falls in the office or at home, as well as motorcycle injuries [3]. Secondary brain injury following TBI triggers pathological, physiological, and biological reactions that result in brain malfunctions [5]. It often induces chain reactions in the biological and chemical processes, and
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