Neuroprotective Effects of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Skin Extract in a Rat Model of Global Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion: Behavioral, Biochemical, and Histological Evaluation

Background & Objectives: Stroke is a major consequence of cerebral ischemia. This study investigated the effects of peanut skin extract (PSE) (or Arachis hypogaea) on behavioral, biochemical, and histological parameters of the hippocampus in rats subjected to global ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: control (no I/R and no manipulation; received 0.9% saline), sham (no I/R; surgical site opened; received 0.9% saline), PSE (100 mg/kg), I/R, and I/R + PSE (10 and 100 mg/kg). Ischemia was induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 20 minutes, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. PSE was extracted using the maceration method and was administered following 24 hours of ischemia induction and then given daily for 1 week. Anxiety-like behavior, pain perception, and recognition memory were assessed after the final injection. Hippocampal microscopic structure and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and serum oxidative stress markers were measured. Results: PSE improved anxiety-like behavior, pain perception, and recognition memory in I/R rats (P < 0.05). I/R decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities (both P < 0.001) and increased serum (P < 0.05) and hippocampal AChE activity (P < 0.01). PSE treatment decreased GSSG levels and AChE activity (P < 0.01) and increased catalase activity (P < 0.01). PSE treatment reduced the percentage of dead pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of I/R rats (P < 0.05). Conclusion: PSE appears to exert neuroprotective effects, likely by reducing oxidative stress markers and attenuating histopathological damage in the hippocampus