Isolation of new compound and neuroprotective studies from Dodonaea viscosa

Objective: Neurological disorders is an increasing problem in the society. Our study aims to explore the secondary metabolites and evaluate the neuroprotective effect of leave extract of Dodonaea viscosa. Methods: The ethyl acetate extract was chromatographed and produced one new entity which was characterized by spectroscopy (IR, UV, NMR, MS) studies. This entity was named as (6S, 9R)-vomifoliol-9-β-D-glucopyranosyle (1 -3)- O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (DVE-8) while the known entities were identified as viscosine (DVE-12), and catechin (DVE-18). The neuroprotective potential of D. viscosa leaves extract was evaluated using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method to induce focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats. Results: The levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB gene expression along with the level of anti-apoptotic Bcl–2, BAX, and caspase–3 gene expression was evaluated. Neurological findings showed a significant reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and, IL-6; both P < 0.05). Also, the NF-κB gene expression was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the level of anti-apoptotic Bcl–2 gene expression was significantly upregulated (P < 0.05), whereas the level of BAX and, caspase–3 gene expression was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The neuroprotective effect of D. viscosa leaves extract on MCAO-induced ischemic stroke may be due to the anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis activities. The findings of the present study may suggest that D. viscosa leaves extract supplementation may serve as valuable adjuvant therapy for neuronal protection.