Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
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Increasing data suggest that oxygen free radical species play detrimental roles in ischemic diseases. A free radical scavenger capable of inhibiting oxidative injury is expected to become a new drug for the treatment of ischemic diseases such as cerebral ischemia. Edaravon (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one), which has been developed as an neuroprotective agent for more than 15 years since its discovery, is approved for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. ⋯ Furthermore, a study using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques showed that edaravone preserved N-acetyl-aspartate in stroke patients, a promising neuronal marker in the brain. Further investigation is essential for a better understanding of free radical-mediated cerebral injury during ischemia followed by recirculation. We hope that edaravone represents a promising neuroprotectant for drug therapy in acute cerebral ischemia.