Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in reducing cerebral edema in rat subjects experiencing brain injury: An in vivo study

Background: A head injury is a very dangerous condition that threatens human life. This study examines the use of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in reducing cerebral edema in cases of head injury. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate whether CAPE can improve various parameters related to the expression of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) mRNA and the serum AQP4 levels in rat subjects.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled study using a posttest-only control group design that uses experimental animals-specifically, male Rattus norvegicus (Sprague Dawley strain) rats aged 10-12 weeks and weighing 200-300 g. This study used a head injury model according to Marmarou (1994) with minor modifications to the animal model fixation tool. The parameters of the AQP4 mRNA were examined with real-time PCR, while serum AQP4 levels were examined with sandwich ELISA.

Results: The AQP4 mRNA expression in rats that were given CAPE was lower than those not given CAPE, both on the fourth and seventh days; serum AQP4 levels in rats that were given CAPE were also lower than those not given CAPE, both on the fourth and seventh days.

Conclusion: Administration of CAPE in a rat model with head injury can reduce cerebral edema, mediated by AQP4.

Keywords: AQP4; Blood serum; Caffeic acid phenethyl ester; Experimental traumatic brain injury; Rat model.