Chandamarutha Chenduram, an Indian traditional Siddha preparation attenuated the neuronal degeneration in ischemic mice through ameliorating cytokines and oxy-radicals mediated EAAT-2 dysfunction

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chandamarutha Chenduram (CC), an Indian traditional Siddha preparation officially recorded in the Siddha formulary of India and its composition are widely used in the Siddha practice of neurological disorders like stroke/paralysis in India. However, the scientific validation and mechanistic evidence is lacking and yet to be elucidated.

Aim of the study: To establish the scientific evidences and to explore the possible neuroprotective mechanism of CC in cerebral ischemia.

Materials and methods: Chemical standardization of the CC was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Acute toxicity study for CC in mice was performed in accordance with OECD 423 guidelines. CC (5 mg/kg) and CC (10 mg/kg) were investigated in bilateral common carotid occlusion (BCCAo) model in mice. After, behavioral assessments, the brain samples were collected and the hippocampus region was micro-dissected for neurotransmitter, neurobiochemicals and inflammatory cytokines estimation. The excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT-2) expressions was analyzed by RT-PCR to understand the possible molecular mechanism. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining of CA1 hippocampal brain region was performed to support the neuroprotective effect of CC in ischemic condition.

Results: Chemical standardization analysis showed that CC has acceptable range of mercury (0.82 ppm) and elemental sulphur (11% w/w). Also, other heavy metal limits were found to be less or not detectable. Toxicity study also evidenced the safety profile of CC. CC has significantly reversed the behavioral dysfunctions (p < 0.001) in global ischemic mice. Treatment with CC has attenuated the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, lipid peroxide, nitric oxide, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) (p < 0.001) and increased the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and EAAT-2 expression level (p < 0.001) in ischemic brain. The hematoxylin and eosin staining in CA1 region of hippocampus also evidence the neuroprotective effect exhibited by CC.

Conclusions: Treatment with CC has exhibited dose dependent effect and CC10 has shown significant protective effect in comparison to CC5 in most of the parameters studied. CC prevented further degeneration of neurons in cerebral ischemic mice through ameliorating inflammatory cytokines and oxy-radicals mediated EAAT-2 dysfunction and subsequent excitotoxicity in neurons.