Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) Protects the Neurons in Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Vivo

By Kyle J. Norton

Acute brain infarction is a severe and medical emergency characterized by the obstruction of the blood supply to the brain, causing the local death of the neurons. Prompt treatment can minimize brain damage and potential complications.

The occurrence and extent of brain infarction are associated with three basic factors, including the site of arterial occlusion, the rapidity of arterial occlusion, and the presence or absence of collateral circulation.

In other words, brain infarction can be classified into myocardial infarction due to plaque rupture and myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance secondary to other acute illnesses.

The exact causes of a blood clot to induce acute brain infarction are unknown. However, the trouble with speaking and understanding, confusion, sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg, headache and the trouble with walking are some of the most common symptoms found in patients with post-myocardial infarction.

Depending on the severity of the acute infarction, in serious cases, patients may also experience symptoms, paralysis of the face, arm or leg, trouble with seeing in one or both eyes.

Although there are many factors associated with the risk of acute infarction, some researchers suggested an unhealthy diet may have a strong and negative implication on the onset of the condition.

Dr. Guo J, the lead scientist at the Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences wrote, "Some dietary patterns are risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI)".
And, "Several dietary frequencies (serves per week) including vegetables, fruits and tofu were closely associated with a decrease of AMI risk. Carbohydrate pattern showed a weak relationship with AMI. We observed a U-shaped association between frequencies of fat and protein pattern and AMI risk. Excessive fat intake increased the AMI risk.".

Coltsfoot(Tussilago farfara) is a perennial herbaceous plant, genus Tussilago, belonging to the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Asia. The herb has been used over thousands of year to treat asthma, various coughs, bronchial congestion, respiratory disorders, headaches and obstruction in the nasal passage, etc.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of brain ischemia, researchers examined the effects of flower buds extract of Tussilago farfara Linné (Farfarae Flos; FF)on brain ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 90 min and reperfusion for 24 h.

Twenty rats included in the study were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5 per group): normal, tMCAO-induced ischemic control, tMCAO plus FF extract 300 mg/kg-treated, and tMCAO plus MK-801 1 mg/kg-treated as reference drug. FF extract (300 mg/kg, p.o.) or MK-801 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered after reperfusion.

According to the results of the differentiation, researchers found that

* FF protects the neurons by observing the rate of neuronal death and the microglia/astrocytes activation in ischemic brains.

* The extract. FF extract also suppressed the productions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as
iNOS, TNF-α, and HIF-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression in ischemic brains.

* Furthermore, the FF extract (0.2 and 0.5 mg/mL, P<0.01) and Tussilago 20 and 50 μmol/L, P<0.01) also significantly inhibits the iNOS mRNA and protein expression associated with the production of NO production.

* Moreover, the FF extract and Tussilago significantly suppressed the protein kinase intracellular signaling molecules that are involved in functions including the regulation of cell division functions in a dose-dependent manner.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "FF extract has a neuroprotective effect in ischemic stroke by the decrease of brain infarction, and the inhibition of neuronal death and microglial activation-mediated inflammatory responses".

Taken altogether, coltsfoot may be considered a remedy for the protection of brain cells in the post of focal cerebral ischemia, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters 
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally 

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You. How-To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Back to Kyle J. Norton Homepage http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca


Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Effects of Flower Buds Extract of Tussilago farfara on Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats and Inflammatory Response in BV2 Microglia by Hwang JH1, Kumar VR2, Kang SY2, Jung HW2, Park YK. (PubMed)