Effect of Extract of Rhubarb Root on Secondary Brain Injury in Rats with Traumatic Brain Injury

Background and Aim: To investigate the effects of Extract (Ext) of Rhubarb Root on secondary brain injury after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, TBI group, and TBI+Ext group (n=15 per group). Rat TBI model was made by using the modified Feeney's method. In TBI+ Ext group, Ext was administered orally at a dosage of 500 mg/kg after TBI once a day for 5 days. On the 5th day after TBI, motor function and brain water content were evaluated in each group. As oxidative stress indices in brain tissue, MDA level, SOD and CAT activities were assayed. Results: Beam walking performance impairment and brain edema were significantly reduced in TBI+Ext group compared with TBI group; meanwhile, level of MDA significantly were decreased and activities of SOD and CAT significantly were increased in brain tissue. Conclusion: The extract of Rhubarb Root can reduce secondary brain injury and improve outcomes of the oxidative stress in injured brain following TBI.