Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) on Global Cerebral Ischemia-induced Motor Incoordination

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Mucuna pruriens on ischemia-induced motor incoordination. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used in this study were divided into eight groups of six rats each. The bilateral common carotid artery (BCA) was occluded to induce global cerebral ischemia. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as a vehicle for this while quercetin was used as the standard. The rats were fed with the methanol plant extract of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seeds for ten days. The treatment groups include treatment plus BCA occlusion. Various behavioral parameters such as locomotor activity, motor coordination, spatial learning, and cerebral infarction area were evaluated. Results: A decline in locomotor activity, motor coordination, and spatial learning was observed in the ischemia-induced Wistar rats. The group treated with Mucuna pruriens showed significant protection against brain damage when compared with negative control group. Conclusion: Mucuna pruriens provides effective neuroprotective activity in BCA occlusion-induced cerebral ischemia in rats, and thus a potential therapeutic agent for the clinical management of cerebral ischemia.