Cyanide-induced free radical production and lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate is reduced by aspirin

The neuroprotective properties of aspirin were investigated using cyanide-i nduced neurotoxicity as model. Cyanide, a known neurotoxic agent significan tly increased lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion levels in rat brain h omogenate in a concentration-dependent manner (0.25-1.0 mM). When homogenat e, containing 1.0 mM KCN was cotreated with aspirin (1.0 mM) there was a si gnificant decrease in lipid peroxidation. Aspirin (0.5 mM and 1.0 mM) also significantly reduced KCN-induced superoxide anion generation. The results of the present report therefore indicate a neuroprotective role for aspirin .