Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Chuquiraga spinosa Less. and Baccharis genistelloides (Pers.) Lam. in a Rat Model of Transient Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion

• Autores: Justil Guerrero, Hugo Jesús, Arroyo Acevedo, Jorge Luis, Rojas Armas, Juan Pedro, Palomino Pacheco, Miriam, García Bustamante, Carlos Orlando, Cieza Macedo, Edwin César, Huarcaya Rojas, Jessica Yolanda, Torres Lévano, Jaime David, Peña Galindo, Julio José, Franco Soto, Esther Obdulia, Chávez Flores, Juana E., Cárdenas Orihuela, Robert Armando
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica
• Repositorio: UNICA-Institucional
• Lenguaje: inglés
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.unica.edu.pe:20.500.13028/7081
• Enlace del recurso: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13028/7081
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Cerebral ischemia; Neuroprotection; Antioxidants; Chuquiraga spinosa Less; Baccharis genistelloides (Pers.) Lam; https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.03.00

Background: Cerebral ischemia, a leading cause of disability and mortality, is strongly related to oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting the need for neuroprotective antioxidant and cytokinemodulating agents. Objective: To characterize the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Chuquiraga spinosa (ChS) and Baccharis genistelloides (BaG), individually and in combination, in a rat model of cerebral ischemia–reperfusion. Methodology: Phytochemical screening and GC-MS were performed with antioxidant assays (ABTS•⁺, DPPH•, FRAP). Neurological deficit was assessed (Bederson scale), while histopathology, oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, NOx), and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) were measured. Groups included Normal (no ischemia), Ischemia (oral placebo), Citicoline 300 mg/kg, ChS 500 mg/kg, BaG 500 mg/kg, and the oral combination ChS 500 + BaG 500 mg/kg, all administered for seven days prior to ischemia induction. Results: ChS had higher total phenolic content than BaG (p = 0.0079). GC-MS identified 23 compounds in ChS and 17 in BaG. The combination displayed greater antioxidant activity than either extract. At 24 h, ChS 500 mg/Kg and the combination reduced severe neurological deficit to 17% (vs. 83% in ischemia). Histopathology revealed less neuronal damage with the combination, comparable to ChS 500 mg/Kg. All treatments decreased MDA levels; the combination also enhanced GSH and CAT and significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-1β. Conclusion: ChS and BaG extracts exert neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia. Their combination shows synergistic antioxidant activity against free radicals and enhances the modulation of inflammatory cytokines, supporting a greater neuroprotective potential.