Neuroprotective effects of nobiletin on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling pathway.

Background: Nobiletin (NOB), an active natural flavonoid component of citrus, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity, but its efficacy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear.

Methods: In a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model, MCAO rats were administered (Sham group and MCAO model group treated with an equal volume of solvent, NOB group treated with 10 or 20 mg/kg NOB) once a day for 7 days before cerebral ischemia and again after reperfusion, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was applied to assess the infarct area. Neurological function was evaluated by the modified neurological severity score and Morris water maze.