An investigation into the neuroprotective properties of ibuprofen

There is increasing evidence suggesting a protective role for anti-inflamma tory medications in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) . While there has not been any direct evidence for this, a number of clinic al studies indicate that those patients who have had a history of nonsteroi dal anti-inflammatory use, have a lower incidence of AD. Since there is cur rently no evidence on the mechanism by which these agents offer possible ne uroprotection, we investigated the potential neuroprotective properties of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, by examining whether th is agent could reduce lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical generation. Quinolinic acid and cyanide, known neurotoxins, were used to induce lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion formation respectively, in rat brain homo genate. The results show that ibuprofen significantly (p<0.05) reduced quin olinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation and cyanide-induced superoxide produ ction. The results of the present report therefore suggest a possible mecha nism for the neuroprotective effect of ibuprofen.