Protective effects of Galla Rhois, the excrescence produced by the sumac aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis, on transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

Kyungjin Lee1a#, Jinmo Kim1b#, Beom-joon Lee2c, Jea-Woo Park3d, Kang-Hyun Leem4e, and Youngmin Bu1f*

1 Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
2 Kangnam Korean Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 135-501, South Korea
3Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital, Seoul, 130-701, South Korea
4 Department of Herbal Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Semyung University, Jechon, 390-711, South Korea

Abstract

Galla Rhois is formed by aphids, primarily Schlechtendalia chinensis Bell (Homoptera: Pemphigidae), on the leaf of sumac, Rhus javanica L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae). It is a tannin– rich herb that is widely used in traditional Korean medicine. Its various pharmacological effects, including its radical–scavenging effects, have been reported. The purpose of the current study was to determine if these radical–scavenging effects can be confirmed using in vitro assays and to investigate its neuroprotective effects, optimal dosage, mechanisms, and therapeutic time window in an animal model of stroke. Galla Rhois 85% methanol extract (GRE) exhibited potent and dose–dependent radical–scavenging effects on various radicals. Oral administration of GRE (300 mg/kg) in a transient focal cerebral ischemia rat model (two hours of occlusion followed by 22 hours of reperfusion) reduced the brain infarct volume by 37.5%. It also improved sensory motor function and reduced lipid–peroxidation in middle cerebral artery occlusion. However, it did not have any inhibitory effects on brain edema. The time window study revealed that pre– and co– treatment with GRE had protective effects, but post–treatment with GRE (three or six hours after ischemia) did not have protective effects. In conclusion, GRE had potent radical–scavenging activities and neuroprotective effects in a rat model of stroke when it was pre– and co– administered. The optimal dosage may be around 300 mg/kg for oral administration.

Keywords: lipid–peroxidation, neuroprotective effects, radical scavenger, sensory motor deficits, transient focal cerebral artery occlusion

Abbreviations: GRE, Galla Rhois 85% methanol extract; ROS, reactive oxygen species; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl; LPO, lipid–peroxidation; MCAo, middle cerebral artery occlusion; TBARS, thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances

Correspondence: a dostudy@naver.com, b kjmo99@hanmail.net, c franchisjun@naver.com, d pjw2907@hanmail.net, e heavenok@dreamwiz.com, f ymbu@khu.ac.kr, *Corresponding author, #Authors contributed equally to this work

Received: 19 December 2010 | Accepted: 5 May 2011 | Published: 27 January 2012

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 12, Number 10

Lee K, Kim J, Lee B-j, Park J-W, Leem K-H, Bu Y. 2012. Protective effects of Galla Rhois, the excrescence produced by the sumac aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis, on transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Journal of Insect Science 12:10 available online: insectscience.org/12.10


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