Protective Effect of Capparis spinosa Extract against Focal Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background: Ischemic stroke is a serious public health problem. Despite extensive researches focusing on the area, little is known about novel treatments. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) extract in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke. Methods: Wistar rats underwent 30-min MCAO-induced brain ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. C. spinose was administrated orally once a day for 7 days before the induction of MCAO. The neurologic outcome, infarct volume (TTC staining), histological examination, and markers of oxidative stress, including total thiol content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, were measured 24hr. after the termination of MCAO. Results: Pretreatment with C. spinosa reduced neurological deficit score, histopathological alterations, and infarct volume in treated groups compared to the stroke group. Furthermore, pretreatment with C. spinosa extract significantly reduced the level of MDA with concomitant increases in the levels of thiol in the brain tissues compared to the stroke group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that C. spinosa extract effectively protects MCAO injury through the attenuation or the suppression of the oxidative stress.