Theaflavin Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats Through Its Anti-Inflammatory Effect and Modulation of STAT-1

Theaflavin, a major constituent of black tea, possesses biological functions such as the antioxidative, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory ones. The purpose of this study was to verify whether theaflavin reduces focal cerebral ischemia injury in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)....

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Main Authors: Fei Cai, Cai-Rong Li, Ji-Liang Wu, Jian-Guo Chen, Chao Liu, Qing Min, Wei Yu, Chang-Han Ouyang, Jin-He Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2006-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/MI/2006/30490
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Summary:Theaflavin, a major constituent of black tea, possesses biological functions such as the antioxidative, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory ones. The purpose of this study was to verify whether theaflavin reduces focal cerebral ischemia injury in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to 2 hours of MCAO followed 24 hours reperfusion. Theaflavin administration (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, IV) ameliorated infarct and edema volume. Theaflavin inhibited leukocyte infiltration and expression of ICAM-1, COX-2, and iNOS in injured brain. Phosphorylation of STAT-1, a protein which mediates intracellular signaling to the nucleus, was enhanced 2-fold over that of sham group and was inhibited by theaflavin. Our study demonstrated that theaflavin significantly protected neurons from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by limiting leukocyte infiltration and expression of ICAM-1, and suppressing upregulation of inflammatory-related prooxidative enzymes (iNOS and COX-2) in ischemic brain via, at least in part, reducing the phosphorylation of STAT-1.
ISSN:0962-9351
1466-1861