@article {2547, title = {Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Chuquiraga spinosa Less. and Baccharis genistelloides (Pers.) Lam. in a Rat Model of Transient Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {September 2025}, pages = {620-631}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {620}, abstract = {

Background: Cerebral ischemia, a leading cause of disability and mortality, is strongly related to oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting the need for neuroprotective antioxidant and cytokinemodulating agents. Objective: To characterize the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Chuquiraga spinosa (ChS) and Baccharis genistelloides (BaG), individually and in combination, in a rat model of cerebral ischemia{\textendash}reperfusion. Methodology: Phytochemical screening and GC-MS were performed with antioxidant assays (ABTS{\textbullet}$^{+}$, DPPH{\textbullet}, FRAP). Neurological deficit was assessed (Bederson scale), while histopathology, oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, NOx), and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) were measured. Groups included Normal (no ischemia), Ischemia (oral placebo), Citicoline 300 mg/kg, ChS 500 mg/kg, BaG 500 mg/kg, and the oral combination ChS 500 + BaG 500 mg/kg, all administered for seven days prior to ischemia induction. Results: ChS had higher total phenolic content than BaG (p = 0.0079). GC-MS identified 23 compounds in ChS and 17 in BaG. The combination displayed greater antioxidant activity than either extract. At 24 h, ChS 500 mg/Kg and the combination reduced severe neurological deficit to 17\% (vs. 83\% in ischemia). Histopathology revealed less neuronal damage with the combination, comparable to ChS 500 mg/Kg. All treatments decreased MDA levels; the combination also enhanced GSH and CAT and significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-1β. Conclusion: ChS and BaG extracts exert neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia. Their combination shows synergistic antioxidant activity against free radicals and enhances the modulation of inflammatory cytokines, supporting a greater neuroprotective potential.

}, keywords = {Cerebral ischemia; neuroprotection; antioxidants; Chuquiraga spinosa Less.; Baccharis genistelloides (Pers.) Lam}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.77}, author = {Hugo Jes{\'u}s Justil-Guerrero and Jorge Luis Arroyo-Acevedo and Juan Pedro Rojas-Armas and Miriam Palomino- Pacheco and Carlos Orlando Garcia-Bustamante and Edwin Cesar Cieza-Macedo and Jessica Yolanda Huarcaya-Rojas and Jaime David Torres-L{\'e}vano and Julio Jose Pena-Galindo and Esther Obdulia Franco-Soto and Juana E. Chavez-Flores and Robert Armando Cardenas-Orihuela} }