Neuroprotective effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana on damage induced by cerebral ischaemia in mice

Abstract

Tilia americana var. mexicana (T. americana) is a plant widely used in Mexico for its medicinal properties on the central nervous system. In the present study, we designed a protocol to investigate the neuroprotective effects of non-polar and polar extracts of T. americana on damage induced by cerebral ischaemia in mice. Vehicle or extracts were administered immediately after ischaemia. Functional neurological deficit, survival percentage and infarct area were determined in each experimental group. Results showed that groups treated with non-polar or polar extracts of T. americana had increased survival rate, improved neurological deficits and diminished the infarct area in relation to the ischaemic group. In conclusion, this study confirms the neuroprotective activity of T. americana, suggests a possible synergism between non-polar and polar constituents and supports its potential as a useful aid in the clinical management of stroke.

Keywords:

• Tilia americana var. mexicana (T. americana)
• neuroprotective activity
• damage induced by ischaemia
• infarct area
• neurological deficit

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This study was supported by PAPIIT [grant number IN201713]; CONACYT [grant number 80811]; INP-[grant number NC093280]; G.E. Angeles-López acknowledges a fellowship from DGAPA-UNAM [grant number 070/2012].