Mastoparan M extracted from Vespa magnifica alleviates neuronal death in global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rat model

Objective(s): Global cerebral ischemia (GCI), a consequence of cardiac arrest (CA), can significantly damage the neurons located in the vulnerable hippocampus CA۱ areas. Clinically, neurological injury after CA contributes to death in most patients. Mastoparan-M extracted from Vespa magnifica (Smith) can be used to treat major neurological disorders. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effects of Mastoparan-M on GCI. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the neurotoxicity and neuroprotective effect of Mastoparan-M, the CCK۸ and Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis assays were first performed in hippocampal HT۲۲ neuronal cells in vitro. Then, Pulsinelli’s ۴-vascular occlusion model was constructed in rats. After treatment with Mastoparan-M (۰.۰۵, ۰.۱, and ۰.۲ mg/kg, IP) for ۳ or ۷ days, behavioral tests, H&E staining or Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were employed to investigate neuroprotective effects of Mastoparan-M on GCI in rats.Results: In vitro, the growth of HT۲۲ neuronal cells was restrained at concentrations of ۳۰-۳۰۰ µg/ml (at ۲۴ hr, IC۵۰=۱۰۵.۲ µg/ml; at ۴۸ hr, IC۵۰=۴۶.۸۱ µg/ml), and Mastoparan-M treatment (۰.۱,۱ and ۵ µg/ml) restrained apoptosis. In vivo, Mastoparan-M improved neurocognitive function and neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA۱ area of rats. In addition, these effects were associated with the prevention of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Conclusion: Mastoparan-M acts as a neuroprotective agent to alleviate neuronal death in rats.

Keywords:

Brain ischemia , Hippocampal CA۱ Region , Neuroinflammatory - diseases , Oxidative stress , Wasp venoms