Balinese Cultivar of Purple Sweet Potato Improved Neurological Score and BDNF and Reduced Caspase-Independent Apoptosis among Wistar Rats with Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke occurs due to the abrupt occlusion in the brain which leads to neuronal death. Neuronal death in ischemic stroke is due to increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Neuronal death occurs via necrosis and apoptosis mechanisms. Apoptosis can either occur via extrinsic or intrinsic pathway. Meanwhile, the intrinsic pathway can be caspase-dependent or independent. Anthocyanin is a natural pigment with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties. Balinese cultivate of purple potato extract contains a high level of anthocyanin and has been proven for its antioxidant activity. AIM: Antioxidant effect of Balinese cultivates purple potato extract has not been studied on an animal model with ischemic stroke. Accordingly, we would like to study the effect of antioxidant properties from Balinese cultivate of purple potato extract by assessing the neurological score, BNDF concentration, and caspase-independent apoptosis by measuring AIF concentration on Wistar rats with ischemic stroke. METHODS: This was an experimental study using male Wistar rats age between 12-14 weeks weigh between 200 to 250 g. RESULTS: This study demonstrated a significant difference of neurological score on day 3 among control versus treatment groups. Balinese cultivate of purple potato extract markedly reduced AIF, increased BDNF, and suppressed apoptosis among treatment group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: We have proven the efficacy of antioxidant activity of anthocyanin derived from Balinese cultivar of purple sweet potato by elevated AIF levels, lower apoptosis rate, improved neurological score on day-3 to day-7 post-stroke, as well as increased BDNF levels.