Antioxidant and Antilipidemic Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Salvia officinalis in a Cerebral Ischemia Model in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

Background and Objective High-fat diet (HFD) is considered one of the main risk factors for ischemic stroke. Improving antioxidant defense and lipid profile through plant-based antioxidant compounds may help to reduce the negative outcomes of ischemia and HFD. Since Salvia officinalis (sage) contains strong antioxidant components, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of its hydroalcoholic extract (ESO) on antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and other ischemic outcomes in rats. Materials and Methods Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups. Animals received a normal or high-fat diet for eight weeks, followed by ESO or vehicle treatment for four weeks. Cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Brain edema (brain water content), antioxidant enzyme activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by standard biochemical methods. Results The findings showed that ESO treatment significantly reduced MDA level, brain water content, and serum lipids. At the same time, antioxidant activity was significantly increased compared with untreated groups. Conclusion These results suggest that ESO can improve antioxidant defense and decrease lipid peroxidation in ischemic conditions. Therefore, it may protect brain cells against oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia, and could be considered as a potential natural treatment for atherosclerotic ischemia.