Effect of Intrathecal Eugenol on Cerebral Vasospasm in an Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Model

Background Eugenol has various curative properties. It affects the dilatation of cerebral arteries by voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel inhibition. This study is the first to explore the impact of eugenol on neuroprotection and vasospasm in an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. Methods Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were indiscriminately separated into 3 groups: the control group (n = 8), the SAH group (n = 8), and the eugenol group (n = 8). A double bleeding method was used. The eugenol group received intracisternal eugenol (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) at 30μg/20μl after induction of SAH. On the 7th day, all groups were euthanized. Measurements were taken for basilar artery wall thickness, lumen diameter, serum endothelin-1, and caspase-3 levels. Result The eugenol group exhibited significantly lower wall thickness, endothelin-1, oxidative stress index, and caspase-3 levels compared to the SAH group. In comparison to the control group, the eugenol group showed a higher oxidative stress index along with higher endothelin-1, and caspase-3 levels, but these differences were not statistically significant. Wall thickness was significantly higher in the eugenol group than in the control group. Conclusion This study represents the first literature exploration of intrathecal eugenol's impact on vasospasm induced after experimental SAH. Administration of intrathecal eugenol demonstrates a positive effect on treatment of experimental vasospasm, as well as on reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis.