The Neuroprotective Effect of <i>Zingiber cassumunar</i> Roxb. Extract on LPS‐Induced Neuronal Cell Loss and Astroglial Activation within the Hippocampus

Abstract

The systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been recognized to induce neuroinflammation which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the protective effect of <i>Zingiber cassumunar</i> (<i>Z</i>. <i>cassumunar</i>) or Phlai (in Thai) against LPS-induced neuronal cell loss and the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) of astrocytes in the hippocampus. Adult male Wistar rats were orally administered with <i>Z</i>. <i>cassumunar</i> extract at various doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days before a single injection of LPS (250 <i>μ</i>g/kg/i.p.). The results indicated that LPS-treated animals exhibited neuronal cell loss and the activation of astrocytes and also increased proinflammatory cytokine interleukin- (IL-) 1<i>β</i> in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with <i>Z</i>. <i>cassumunar</i> markedly reduced neuronal cell loss in the hippocampus. In addition, <i>Z</i>. <i>cassumunar</i> extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW significantly suppressed the inflammatory response by reducing the expression of GFAP and IL-1<i>ß</i> in the hippocampus. Therefore, the results suggested that <i>Z</i>. <i>cassumunar</i> extract might be valuable as a neuroprotective agent in neuroinflammation-induced brain damage. However, further investigations are essential to validate the possible active ingredients and mechanisms of its neuroprotective effect.