Protective Effect of Gum Arabic on Spinal Cord Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background: Gum arabic (GA) contains anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds and protects tissues. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of GA on the spinal cord’s motor neurons after ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Materials & Methods: Thirty-five male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were randomly divided into five groups: Intact, sham surgery, control (۴ mL/kg distilled water+I/R), low-dose gum arabic (GA ۱ g/kg+I-R), and high-dose gum arabic (GA ۴ g/kg+I-R). In the experimental groups, oral gavages’ treatment was performed for ۲۱ days before surgery. Three days after I-R, the rats were evaluated for neurological function, biochemical, and histological analysis. Results: The mean motor deficit index (MDI) in the GA groups versus the control group was significantly lower (P<۰.۰۱). About ۷۲ hours after I-R, the mean plasma level of superoxide dismutase and total anti-oxidant capacity in the GA ۴ g/kg group were higher than the control group (P<۰.۰۵). However, there was no significant difference in the plasma level of catalase between the GA ۴ g/kg and the control groups (P<۰.۰۵). Approximately ۶۷% of the motor neurons were destroyed in the control group, while this ratio was about ۱۸% in the GA ۴ g/kg group. Conclusion: This study showed that GA (۴ g/kg) protects the motor neurons of the spinal cord against ischemia-reperfusion injury.