4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA), one of the phenolic constituents found in many herbal medicinal plants, exhibits beneficial effects in neurological disorders. In the present study, we evaluated 4-HBA's role in transient cerebral ischemia and its potential mechanism. Pre-treatment with 4-HBA (50,100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the cerebral infarct size and improved the neurological symptoms. Morphological examinations showed 4-HBA reduced the number of degenerated neurons. Oxidative stress was evaluated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Anti-oxidative mechanisms were studied by Immunofluorescence staining and western immunoblot analysis. 4-HBA increased the expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) and ultimately inhibited oxidative stress. In addition, we evaluated the time course expression of NQO1, which was upregulated in the ischemic brain beginning at 1 h. Taken together, these results suggested that 4-HBA ameliorated cerebral injury in rats, This neuroprotective effect is likely related to its antioxidant activities.

中文翻译：

---

4-羟基苯甲醇通过抗氧化作用改善大鼠脑损伤。

4-羟基苯甲醇 (4-HBA) 是在许多草药植物中发现的酚类成分之一，对神经系统疾病具有有益作用。在本研究中，我们评估了 4-HBA 在短暂性脑缺血中的作用及其潜在机制。4-HBA (50,100 mg/kg) 预处理显着减少了脑梗死面积并改善了神经系统症状。形态学检查显示 4-HBA 减少了退化神经元的数量。氧化应激通过超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD) 活性和丙二醛 (MDA) 水平进行评估。通过免疫荧光染色和蛋白质免疫印迹分析研究抗氧化机制。4-HBA 增加 NAD(P)H: 醌氧化还原酶 1 (NQO1) 的表达并最终抑制氧化应激。此外，我们评估了 NQO1 的时程表达，其在缺血脑中从 1 小时开始上调。总之，这些结果表明 4-HBA 改善了大鼠的脑损伤，这种神经保护作用可能与其抗氧化活性有关。