Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effect of Pycnogenol in a Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury Model in Newborn Rats

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol (PYC) and its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effect in an experimental hypoxic-ischemic (HI) rat model. Study Design A total of 24 Wistar albino rats who were on the seventh postnatal day were divided into three groups with developed HI brain injury model under the sevoflurane anesthesia: 40 mg/kg PYC was given to Group A, saline was given to Group B, and the sham group was Group C. Neuronal apoptosis was investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and immunohistochemically stained manually with primer antibodies of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta. Results The neuronal cell injury was statistically lower in the PYC treatment group. Conclusion This is the first study that investigates the role of PYC in the HI brain injury model. PYC reduces apoptosis and neuronal injury in the cerebral tissue of the rats. PYC may be a protective agent against hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.