Effect of policosanol on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols isolated from sugar cane wax, whose main component is octacosanol. An inhibitory effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation and cerebral ischemia in animal mode ls has been reported. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evalu ate the effect of policosanol on cerebral ischemia induced by unilateral ca rotid ligation and bilateral clamping and recirculation in Mongolian gerbil s. Policosanol (200 mg/kg) administered immediately after unilateral caroti d ligation and at 12- or 24-h intervals for 48 h significantly inhibited mo rtality and clinical symptoms when compared with controls, whereas lower do ses (100 mg/kg) were not effective. Control animals showed swelling (tissue vacuolization) and necrosis of neurons in all areas of the brain studied ( frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and olfactory tubercle), showing a si milar injury profile. In the group treated with 200 mg/kg policosanol swell ing and necrosis were significantly reduced when compared with the control group. In another experimental model, comparison between groups showed that the brain water content of control gerbils (N = 15) was significantly high er after 15 min of clamping and 4 h of recirculation than in sham-operated animals (N = 13), whereas policosanol (200 mg/kg) (N = 19) significantly re duced the edema compared with the control group, with a cerebral water cont ent identical to that of the sham-operated animals. cAMP levels in the brai n of control-ligated Mongolian gerbils (N = 8) were significantly lower tha n those of sham-operated animals (N = 10). The policosanol-treated group (N = 10) showed significantly higher cAMP levels (2.68 pmol/g of tissue) than the positive control (1.91 pmoVg of tissue) and similar to those of non-li gated gerbils (2.97 pmoVg of tissue). In conclusion, our results show an an ti-ischemic effect of policosanol administered after induction of cerebral ischemia, in two different experimental models in Mongolian gerbils, sugges ting a possible therapeutic effect in cerebral vascular disorders.