Anti-oxidant effect of picroside II in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Picroside II, the major active component of picroside, has been shown to induce PC12 cell axonal growth and relieve free radical damage. In vivo experiments have demonstrated that picroside II can improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries. In the present in vivo study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry revealed that picroside II increased superoxide dismutase content and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase content in the ischemic hemisphere. The effects of picroside II were similar to those of salvianic acid A sodium, an active control drug. These results indicate that picroside II exerts a neuroprotective effect, possibly by downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, increasing superoxide dismutase activity, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.