Hepatoprotective activity of Apium graveolens and Hygrophila auriculata against paracetamol and thioacetamide intoxication in rats

Seeds of Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae) and Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.) Heine (Syn. Astercantha auriculata Nees, Acanthaceae) are used in Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of liver ailments. The antihepatotoxic effect of methanolic extracts of the seeds of these two plants was studied on rat liver damage induced by a single dose of paracetamol (3 g/kg p.o.) or thioacetamide (100 mg/kg, s.c.) by monitoring several liver function tests, viz. serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and bilirubin in serum. Furthermore, hepatic tissues were processed for assay of triglycerides and histopathological alterations simultaneously. A significant hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic extract of the seeds of both the plants was reported.     

Quercetin allievates oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is found in almost all populations and is emerging as a growing problem in developing countries. A large number of studies are in progress to fi nd natural sources, which are effective in reducing the intensity of diabetes. Quercetin, a constituent present in fruits and vegetables, was studied in two different doses (50 and 80 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days to assess its effect on streptozotocin induced diabetes. The blood glucose level was elevated in diabetic rats. Circulatory lipid peroxidation, vitamin C, vitamin E and enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were analyzed. Alterations in the antioxidant defense were observed in diabetic animals compared to normal. Oral administration of quercetin to diabetic rats resulted in a decrease in the levels of blood glucose, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides. Quercetin also resulted in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase coming to near normal, along with the levels of vitamin C and vitamin E. Quercetin at lower doses was found to be more effective. These result indicate that quercetin ameliorated the diabetes-induced changes in oxidative stress.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum) Heine Acanthaceae root extract

Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum) Heine (syn. Asteracantha longifolia Nees, Acanthaceae) was widely used in the Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various liver ailments. The hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extract of the roots was studied on CCl(4)-induced liver toxicity in rats. The activity was assessed by monitoring the various liver function tests, viz. alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and total bilirubin. Furthermore, hepatic tissues were subjected to histopathological studies. The root extract was also studied for its in vitro antioxidant activity using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. The extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities.     

Rosa rugosa attenuates diabetic oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

The effects of Rosa rugosa on diabetic oxidative stress were investigated using rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. The diabetic rats showed less body weight gain and heavier kidney and liver weights than normal rats, while the oral administration of Rosa rugosa at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight/day for 20 days attenuated the physiological changes induced by diabetes. In addition, administrating Rosa rugosa to diabetic rats resulted in significant and dose-dependent decreases in the serum glucose and glycosylated protein levels, implying that Rosa rugosa improves the abnormal glucose metabolism that leads to oxidative stress. Diabetic rats had higher serum levels of superoxide and nitrite/nitrate. However, the administration of Rosa rugosa dose-dependently reduced the over-production of radicals associated with diabetes, suggesting Rosa rugosa is a radical scavenger that would play a crucial role in protecting against diabetic oxidative stress. Rosa rugosa significantly and dose-dependently reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in serum, hepatic and renal mitochondria, implying that Rosa rugosa would alleviate the oxidative stress associated with diabetes by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. This study provides evidence that Rosa rugosa has potential as a treatment for diabetes through attenuating oxidative stress induced by the diabetic condition.     

葛根素对妊娠期糖尿病大鼠氧化应激损伤保护作用的研究

目的:研究葛根素(Puerarin)对妊娠期糖尿病大鼠氧化应激损伤的保护作用。方法:将80只通过腹腔注射链脲佐菌素制备的妊娠5天的糖尿病大鼠随机分为4组:妊娠期糖尿病模型对照组、葛根素(40、80和160 mg/kg)治疗组和盐酸二甲双胍(200 mg/kg)阳性药对照组,每组16只大鼠,另取16只同期妊娠5天的大鼠作为正常妊娠对照组以及16只同龄非妊娠大鼠作为正常非妊娠对照组。每天经灌胃给药1次,妊娠期糖尿病大鼠、正常妊娠对照组和正常非妊娠对照组分别给予等体积的生理盐水,疗程为2周。分别于给药前、给药治疗第7天和第14天测定空腹血糖水平;给药治疗2周后,分别检测各组大鼠血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性,丙二醛(MDA)含量以及总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)水平;测定肝脏组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性以及丙二醛(MDA)的含量;通过苏木精-尹红(HE)染色观察肝脏组织病理形态学改变状况。结果:与正常非妊娠糖尿病大鼠相比,正常妊娠糖尿病大鼠血糖水平,血清中ALT、AST、ALP活性,MDA含量以及TAOC水平均无显著性变化;肝组织匀浆中SOD、CAT活性和MDA含量均无显著性差异;肝组织均未出现病理形态学改变。与正常妊娠糖尿病大鼠相比,妊娠期糖尿病模型对照组大鼠血糖显著升高,血清中ALT、AST、ALP活性和MDA含量显著升高,T-AOC水平显著降低;肝组织匀浆中SOD、CAT活性显著降低且MDA含量显著升高;肝组织出现明显的病理形态学改变。与妊娠期糖尿病模型对照组相比,葛根素(80、160 mg/kg)治疗组大鼠血清中ALT、AST活性和MDA含量均显著降低,肝脏组织匀浆中SOD且MDA含量显著降低;葛根素160 mg/kg治疗组大鼠血糖水平显著降低,血清中ALP活性显著降低、T-AOC水平显著升高,肝脏组织中CAT活性显著升高;葛根素160 mg/kg治疗组肝脏组织病理学改变明显改善。结论:葛根素对妊娠期糖尿病大鼠氧化应激损伤具有剂量依赖性的保护作用。     

The neuroprotective effect of picroside II from hu-huang-lian against oxidative stress

Picroside II is an active constituent extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hu-huang-lian. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of picroside II, PC12 cells were treated with glutamate in vitro and male ICR mice were treated with AlCl(3) in vivo. Pre-treatment of PC12 cells with picroside II could enhance the cell viability and decrease the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by glutamate. By DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry assay, picroside II (1.2 mg/ml) significantly prevented glutamate-induced cell apoptosis. In the animal study, amnesia was induced in mice by AlCl(3) (100 mg/kg/d, i.v.). Pricroside II, at the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg/d (i.g.), markedly ameliorated AlCl(3)-induced learning and memory dysfunctions and attenuated AlCl(3)-induced histological changes. This was associated with the significant increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain of experimental mice. All these results indicated that picroside II possessed the therapeutic potential in protecting against neurological injuries damaged by oxidative stress.     

Effect of Bauhinia forficata aqueous extract on the maternal-fetal outcome and oxidative stress biomarkers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bauhinia forficata Link, commonly known as "paw-of-cow", is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. AIM OF THIS STUDY: To evaluate the effect of Bauhinia forficata treatment on maternal-fetal outcome and antioxidant systems of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Virgin female Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg/kg streptozotocin before mating. Oral administration of an aqueous extract of Bauhinia forficata leaves was given to non-diabetic and diabetic pregnant rats at increasing doses: 500 mg/kg from 0 to 4th day of pregnancy, 600 mg/kg from 5th to 14th day and 1000 mg/kg from 15th to 20th day. At day 21 of pregnancy the rats were anaesthetized with ether and a maternal blood sample was collected for the determination superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). The gravid uterus was weighed with its contents and fetuses were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The data showed that the diabetic dams presented an increased glycemic level, resorption, placental weight, placental index, and fetal anomalies, and reduced GSH and SOD determinations, live fetuses, maternal weight gain, gravid uterine weight, and fetal weight. It was also verified that Bauhinia forficata treatment had no hypoglycemic effect, did not improve maternal outcomes in diabetic rats, but it contributed to maintain GSH concentration similarly to non-diabetic groups, suggesting relation with the decreased incidence of visceral anomalies.     

Auraptene from Ferula szowitsiana protects human peripheral lymphocytes against oxidative stress

The antigenotoxicity effects of auraptene on DNA damage in human peripheral lymphocytes were studied using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis. Auraptene at concentrations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µM was tested under simultaneous treatment with 25 µM H₂O₂. The data are expressed as % tail DNA and compared with ascorbic acid at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µM . Auraptene significantly reduced the genotoxicity of H₂O₂ at concentrations higher than 25 µM (p < 0.001). Interestingly, the antigenotoxicity activity of auraptene was higher than ascorbic acid (p < 0.01), however, at some concentrations (25, 50 and 200 µM ) there was no significant difference between auraptene and ascorbic acid (p > 0.05). It seems that the significant antigenotoxicity effects of auraptene may be due to the prenyl moiety and also the suppression of superoxide anion (O₂^?) generation. This study suggests that the antigenotoxic property of auraptene is of great pharmacological importance and might be beneficial for cancer prevention. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Total flavonoids of Flos Chrysanthemi protect arterial endothelial cells against oxidative stress

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Total flavonoids of Flos Chrysanthemi (TFFC) are known to modulate vascular functions, but their effect on endothelial cells injured by oxidative stress is unknown. Our objective was to investigate the vasoprotective effect and mechanism of action of TFFC on rat mesenteric artery exposed to superoxide anions produced by pyrogallol.

Materials and methods

The vasoprotective effect and mechanism of action of TFFC on primary cultured rat mesenteric arterial endothelial cells and small mesenteric arteries was investigated using small-vessel myography, fluorescent Ca²⁺ measurement, fluorescent membrane potential measurement and oxidative fluorescent studies.

Results

Experiments using small-vessel myography of third-order rat mesenteric arterial rings showed that pretreatment with pyrogallol (10-1000 μM), an auto-oxidizing source of superoxide anions, dose-dependently decreased ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. TFFC (2.5-320 mg/L) evoked a concentration-dependent dilation (pD₂: 29.6 ± 0.276 mg/L), which was weakened by ChTX plus apamin. TFFC markedly attenuated the inhibition of vasorelaxation induced by pyrogallol (E_max elevated from 50.4 ± 7.36% to 86.2 ± 3.61%, and pD₂ increased from 6.74 ± 0.06 to 7.28 ± 0.12). Furthermore, in primary cultured endothelial cells, fluorescent Ca²⁺ measurement, fluorescent membrane potential measurement and oxidative fluorescent studies demonstrated that ACh-induced endothelial Ca²⁺ influx and hyperpolarization were significantly weakened by the increased basal superoxide level induced by pyrogallol. When the endothelial cells were concurrently exposed to TFFC, the impairment effect of oxidative stress on ACh-induced Ca²⁺ influx, hyperpolarization and vasorelaxation were attenuated due to its superoxide-lowering activity.

Conclusion

This study shows that oxidative stress has a pronounced deleterious effect on EDHF-mediated vasorelaxation to ACh in rat mesenteric artery. TFFC has vasodilating effect and protects EDHF-mediated vasodilator reactivity from oxidative stress. Thus, our experiments suggest that TFFC is potentially useful for the development of therapeutic treatments for cardiovascular diseases associated with oxidative stress.     

Protective effect of Phyllanthus fraternus against allyl alcohol-induced oxidative stress in liver mitochondria

The effect of administration of allyl alcohol on the oxidative stress and the protective effect due to administration of an aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus against allyl alcohol-induced damage in liver mitochondria were studied. When rats were treated with allyl alcohol, the rate of mitochondrial respiration was decreased significantly with both NAD(+)- and FAD-linked substrates. The respiratory control ratio, an index of membrane integrity and the P/O ratio, a measure of phosphorylation efficiency also decreased significantly. There was a significant increase in the lipid peroxide level and the protein carbonyl content. A significant decrease was observed in the total sulphydryl groups and a significant increase in the generation of superoxide radicals. Administration of rats with an aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (100 mg/kg) prior to allyl alcohol administration showed protection of 72, 40 and 80% using glutamate+malate (NADH oxidation) and 77, 54 and 20% using succinate as substrate on state 3, RCR and P/O ratio, respectively. The protection on lipid peroxide level was 88 and 91% in homogenate and mitochondria, respectively. In case of protein carbonyls, total sulphydryl groups and on the generation of superoxide radicals the protection was 99, 59 and 53%, respectively.     

Protection of human HepG2 cells against oxidative stress by the flavonoid epicatechin

Flavanols, such as epicatechin (EC), constitute an important part of the human diet; they can be found in green tea, grapes and cocoa and possess different biological activities such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anticarcinogenic. This study investigated the potential chemo‐protective effect of EC against oxidative stress induced by tert‐butylhydroperoxide (t‐BOOH) on human HepG2 cells. Cell viability by lactate dehydrogenase assay and markers of oxidative status: reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were evaluated. Pretreatment of cells with EC for 20 h prevented the enhanced cell damage and GPx and GR activities as well as the decrease in GSH induced by t‐BOOH. The increased ROS generation induced by t‐BOOH was also partly prevented by a pretreatment for 20 h with EC. In addition, pretreatment of cells with EC for 20 h recovered the t‐BOOH‐induced MDA concentration to control values. A pretreatment for 2 h with EC did not reduce cell damage but partly recovered GSH, reduced ROS levels and muffled the increase of GPx and GR after exposure to t‐BOOH. Treatment of HepG2 cells with concentrations of EC in the micromolar range confers a significant protection against oxidative stress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protective effect of indigo naturalis extract against oxidative stress in cultured human keratinocytes

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Indigo naturalis is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various skin disorders.

Aim of the study

The aims were to explore the effect of indigo naturalis on suppressing oxidative stress and protein modifications by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, in cultured primary human keratinocytes.

Materials and methods

Indigo naturalis extract at a dose that did not cause cytotoxicity was added to cultured keratinocytes in the absence or the presence of H₂O₂ or HNE. The degree of cytotoxicity, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and amount of protein carbonyl groups were evaluated.

Results

Indigo naturalis extract at the concentration of 10 μg/ml had no protective effect against H₂O₂ or HNE-induced cytotoxicity, but decreased intracellular levels of ROS after H₂O₂ treatment and suppressed the increase of protein carbonyl groups induced by HNE.

Conclusion

Indigo naturalis possesses an inhibitory effect on formation of intracellular ROS induced by exogenous ROS and protein modification induced by HNE in human keratinocytes, which is relevant to the alleviation of inflammatory skin diseases.     

补阳还五汤通过上调SIRT1抑制脑微血管内皮细胞氧糖剥夺再灌注诱导氧化应激损伤

目的:通过建立氧糖剥夺再灌注模型,观察补阳还五汤对氧糖剥夺再灌注诱导脑微血管内皮细胞(r BMECs)氧化应激损伤的作用,并进一步探讨沉默调节蛋白1(Sirtuin type 1,SIRT1)是否是其发挥作用的靶点。方法:分离培养原代大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞,建立体外氧糖剥夺再灌注损伤模型,SD大鼠按15g/kg的剂量每日灌胃给药补阳还五汤1次,连续灌胃1周后分离得到血清,将细胞分为尼莫地平组、对照组、模型组、补阳还五汤含药血清低剂量组(10%),补阳还五汤含药血清高剂量组(20%),应用CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,测定补阳还五汤含药血清对r BMECs活力的影响,检测细胞中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、丙二醛(MDA)及活性氧簇(ROS)含量,并采用Western blot、实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(q PCR)检测SIRT1表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,氧糖剥夺再灌注处理组的细胞存活率明显降低,LDH活性及ROS、MDA的含量升高,SIRT1蛋白、m RNA表达明显下降;与损伤组相比,10%、20%的补阳还五汤含药血清能明显提高氧糖剥夺再灌注损伤后细胞的存活率,降低LDH、ROS、MDA的含量,提高SIRT1蛋白、m RNA的表达;尼莫地平组与补阳还五汤高低剂量组差异无显著。结论:补阳还五汤对脑微血管内皮细胞氧糖剥夺再灌注诱导的氧化应激损伤具有明显的保护作用,其作用机制可能是通过上调SIRT1表达水平实现的。     

Neuroprotective activityof Cymbopogon martinii against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Watson (Family: Graminae), commonly known as Palmarosa, is traditionally prescribed for central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as neuralgia, epileptic fits and anorexia. Although the plant possesses diverse pharmacological actions, the neuroprotective action has got little attention.

Aim of the study

The present study evaluated neuroprotective effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon martinii (EOCM) against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Materials and methods

Global ischemic brain damage was induced by bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 30 min, followed by 60 min reperfusion on Wistar albino rats. The biochemical levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total thiols and glutathione (GSH) were estimated and brain coronal sections and histopathological studies were performed.

Results

BCCA occlusion, followed by reperfusion caused varied biochemical/enzymatic alterations viz. increase in LPO and decrease in SOD, CAT, total thiols and GSH. The prior treatment of EOCM (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, p.o. for 10 days) markedly reversed these changes and restored to normal levels as compared to I/R groups. Moreover, brain coronal sections and histopathological studies revealed protection against ischemic brain damage in the EOCM-treated groups.

Conclusion

This study, for the first time, shows potent neuroprotective effect of EOCM against global cerebral I/R-induced oxidative stress in rats, suggesting its therapeutic potential in cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) including stroke.     

Protective effect of Smilax glabra extract against lead-induced oxidative stress in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Smilax glabra Roxb. is a traditional Chinese herb, the rhizome of Smilax glabra has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of lead poisoning.

Aims of the study

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective role of Smilax glabra extract (SGE) individually or combined with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) against the effects of lead acetate on oxidative stress and lead burden in rats.

Materials and methods

The biochemical parameters and enzymes in different treated rats were determined by commercial kits. The metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

SGE (300 mg/kg) showed very low toxicity to organs in non-lead exposed rats. Administration of SGE individually had no effect on blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level but significantly enhanced the glutathione (GSH) content and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in lead exposed rats. The co-treatment of SGE and DMSA had a synergism in increasing brain, liver and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and GSH level, and decreasing oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. Moreover, the co-treatment could improve the hepatic and renal histopathology changes. SGE as chelating agent showed significant efficiency in reducing blood and tissue lead burden.

Conclusions

The in vivo results suggested that SGE individually or combined with DMSA exhibited remarkable protective effects on lead-induced oxidative stress and lead burden in rats.     

Effect of Morus nigra aqueous extract treatment on the maternal-fetal outcome, oxidative stress status and lipid profile of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Morus nigra, commonly known as black mulberry, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the diabetes treatment.

Aim of this study

To evaluate the effect of Morus nigra aqueous extract treatment on maternal lipid and oxidative stress profile, reproductive outcomes, and also fetal anomaly incidence from diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) in virgin female Wistar rats. Morus nigra leaf aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) was administered from day 0 to 20 of pregnancy. At day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anesthetized and killed to obtain blood samples and maternal-fetal data.

Results and conclusion

After treatment with Morus nigra extract, non-diabetic and diabetic rats presented no glycemic changes. Fetuses from diabetic dams, regardless of Morus nigra treatment, were small for pregnancy age. In diabetic dams, plant treatment caused reduced MDA, cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL levels, and decreased placental index and weight as compared to diabetic group. The fetuses from diabetic rats treated with Morus nigra extract had lower frequency of skeletal and visceral anomalies as compared to diabetic group. Thus, Morus nigra leaf aqueous extract failed to control hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. However, Morus nigra treatment had antioxidant effect, contributing to reduce incidence of internal anomalies in offspring from diabetic dams.     

Mangiferin exerts neuroprotective activity against lead-induced toxicity and oxidative stress via Nrf2 pathway

Objective: The study was designed to assess the beneficial role of mangiferin(MGN) in lead(Pb)-induced neurological damages in the activation of Nrf2-governed enzymes, genes and proteins.Methods: A total of 96 weaned Wistar rats(48 males and 48 females, 26-to 27-day-old), weighing50-80 g were used. The experiment was performed in six groups: normal group(control, n = 16), model group(chronic Pb exposed, n = 16), Dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA)-treated group(positive control,Pb + DMSA, n = 16), three MGN-treated groups with different doses(Pb + MGN, n = 48). Normal group freely had access to purified water. DMSA-treated group was given DMSA, which was clinically used as the standard treatment for moderate Pb poisoning, at 50 mg/kg(2 m L suspension with purified water)by intragastric gavage(ig) 4 continual days a week for 4 weeks, MGN-treated groups were given MGN at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg(2 m L suspension with purified water) by ig daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, all rats were sacrificed and the brain samples were collected. The haematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was used for observation of histopathology. Commercial kit, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-q PCR), Western-blot and immunohistochemistry(IHC) detection were used to detect the m RNA and protein expression.Results: Eight weeks exposure to Pb-containing water resulted in pathological alterations, anti-oxidative system disorder in the brain, all of which were blocked by MGN in a Nrf2-dependent manner. Nrf2 downstream enzymes such as HO-1, NQO1, γ-GCS were activated. Nrf2, GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 m RNA and total Nrf2, Nuclear Nrf2, γ-GCS, HO-1 protein expression were affected too.Conclusion: MGN ameliorated morphological damage in the hippocampus. Its neuroprotective effects were achieved by the activation of the Nrf2 downstream genes. The data from this in vitro study indicates that MGN targeting Nrf2 activation is a feasible approach to reduce adverse health effects associated with Pb exposure. Thus, MGN could be an effective candidate agent for the Pb-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the human body.