Neuroprotective effects in gerbils of spiramine T from Spiraea japonica var. acuta.

The neuroprotective effects of spiramine T, an atisine-type diterpenoid alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Spiraea japonica var, acuta (Rosaceaee), on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury produced by 10-min bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries followed by 5-day reperfusion in gerbils were investigated. Intravenous spiramine T (0.38, 0.75, and 1.5 mg.kg(-1)) markedly reduced the stroke index, enhanced the recovery of EEG amplitude during reperfusion and decreased the concentrations of cortex calcium and LPO in a dose-dependent manner. However, no significant effects on water and sodium contents were observed. These results suggested that spiramine T exhibited protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils, and its mechanism might be related to reducing calcium accumulation and lipid peroxidation. This is the first report on spiramine T as a natural product with neuroprotective effects.