Inhibition of Oxidative Stress: An Important Molecular Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Astragalus membranaceus, Carthamus tinctorius L., Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae, etc.) in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke by Regulating the Antioxidant System

NaturalEssential Oils: A Promising Therapy Way for Treating Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, mortality, and disability, making it the second leading cause of death worldwide. Ischemic stroke (IS) accounts for the majority of strokes, and its pathogenesis is complex, often involving complications and sequelae. Currently, conventional clinical approaches are ineffective, with few drugs available for intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombolysis limited by a short time window. With the poor efficacy of monotherapy, the search for new complementary or alternative therapies has become the focus of researchers. In traditional medicine, Chinese aromatherapy has a long history of using aromatic medicines to treat IS. Natural essential oils (EOs), as the main pharmacological substances in aromatic drugs, are composed of different ratios of active metabolites with multi-targets and multi-components, which makes EOs have a wide range of pharmacological effects. Modern studies have also shown that EOs extracts and isolated monomers are beneficial for pathologically complex CIS. Therefore, this paper summarizes the EOs and monomers obtained from EOs that can prevent and treat IS in the last 20 years, and finds that EOs exert their anti-CIS effects mainly through anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and inhibition of excitotoxicity. The amelioration of IS complications by natural EOs and their active monomer components for the treatment of IS are further discussed.

Astragaloside IV protects brain cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ryanodine receptor expression and reducing the expression of P-Src and P-GRK2

Astragaloside IV, a prime active component of Astragalus membranaceus, has potential as a neuroprotectant. We aimed to identify the active ingredients in A. membranaceus and assess if Astragaloside IV can improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) cell apoptosis by reducing P-Src and P-GRK2 via ryanodine receptor (RyR) expression inhibition. We used bioinformatics analysis to examine the effects of A. membranaceus on ischemic stroke. We studied brain samples from middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice treated with normal saline, Astragaloside IV, and sham mice for pathology and Western blot tests. We also tested PC12 cells in vitro with or without Astragaloside IV or GSK180736A using Western blotting and fluorescence assays. Our bioinformatics analysis suggested a possible association between A. membranaceus, calcium ion pathways, and apoptosis pathways. Western blot data indicated Astragaloside IV significantly decreased RyR, p-Src, and downstream phosphorylated GRK2, PLC, CaMKII, and IP3R levels in MCAO mice brains. Astragaloside IV also considerably inhibited pro-apoptotic and oxidative stress-associated proteins' expression while boosting anti-apoptotic protein expression. The results suggest Astragaloside IV can inhibit RyR expression, subsequently reducing brain cell apoptosis.

Research progress on nanotechnology of traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the therapeutic effect of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic condition that primarily impacts the articular cartilage and surrounding bone tissue, resulting in joint inflammation and structural deterioration. The etiology of OA is multifaceted and intricately linked to the oxidative stress response of joint tissue. Oxidative stress (OS) in OA leads to the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other oxidizing agents, resulting in detrimental effects on chondrocytes. This oxidative damage diminishes the flexibility and robustness of cartilage, thereby expediting the progression of joint deterioration. Therefore, the antioxidant effect is crucial in the treatment of OA. Currently, a considerable number of components found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been scientifically demonstrated to exhibit remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, the utilization of this program is considerably constrained as a result of intrinsic deficiencies, notably stability concerns. The successful amalgamation of TCM components with nanotechnology has properly tackled these concerns and enhanced the efficacy of therapeutic results. The objective of this study is to delineate the antioxidant characteristics of nano-TCM and assess the current inventory of literature pertaining to the application of nano-TCM in the treatment of OA. In conclusion, this paper will now turn to the constraints and potential avenues for the advancement of nano-TCM within the realm of OA therapy.

Chuanzhitongluo Inhibits Neuronal Apoptosis in Mice with Acute Ischemic Stroke by Regulating the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Apoptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to assess whether Chuanzhitongluo (CZTL), a multi-target and multi-pathway compound preparation, plays a neuroprotective role in AIS by modulating neuronal apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

METHODS

A mouse model of AIS was established by photochemical processes. Cerebral infarction volume was measured by 2% staining with 2, 3, and 5-triphenyl tetrazole chloride (TTC). Neuron apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. Apoptosis RNA arrays were used to detect changes in apoptosis-related gene expression profiles. Western blotting was used to detect proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that CZTL could potentially mitigate neuronal apoptosis in AIS mice. This appears to be achieved via the up-regulation of certain genes such as BCL-2, Birc6, and others, coupled with the down-regulation of genes like BAX, Bid, and Casp3. Further validation revealed that CZTL could enhance the expression of BCL-2 and reduce the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 and BAX at both the gene and protein levels. The study also found that CZTL can enhance the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In contrast to these findings, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 notably amplified neuronal apoptosis in AIS mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings imply that CZTL's ability to inhibit neuronal apoptosis may be linked to the activation of AIS's PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Retracted: Inhibition of Oxidative Stress: An Important Molecular Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Astragalus membranaceus, Carthamus tinctorius L., Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae, etc.) in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke by Regulating the Antioxidant System

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/1425369.].

The Multitarget Action of Vitamins in the Ischemic Stroke

A stroke, also known as a cerebral hemorrhage, occurs when there is an interruption in the blood supply to a part of the brain, resulting in damage to brain cells. This issue is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries, currently killing about 5 million people annually. Individuals who survive ischemic stroke often face serious vision problems, paralysis, dementia, and other sequelae. The numerous efforts to prevent and/or treat stroke sequelae seem insufficient, which is concerning given the increasing global elderly population and the well-known association between aging and stroke risk. In this review, we aim to present and discuss the importance of vitamins in stroke prevention and/or incidence. Vitamins from diet or dietary supplements influence the body at various levels; they are a relevant factor but are reported only in isolated articles. This review reports and updates the multitarget role of vitamins involved in reducing stroke risk.

Optimized Separation of Carthamin from Safflower by Macroporous Adsorption Resins and Its Protective Effects on PC12 Cells Injured by OGD/R via Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

The growing demand for safe natural products has reignited people's interest in natural food pigments. Here, we proposed the use of macroporous adsorption resins (MARs) to separate and purify carthamin from safflower. The optimal parameters for carthamin purification with HPD400 MAR were determined as follows: a mass ratio of crude carthamin in sample solution to wet resin of 0.3, a crude carthamin solution concentration of 0.125 g·mL-1, a pH of 6.00, a sample volume flow rate of 0.5 mL·min-1, an ethanol volume fraction of 58%, an elution volume of 4 BV, and an elution volume flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1. Under the above purification conditions, the recovery rate of carthamin was above 96%. Carthamin dramatically improved the survival rate of PC12 cells damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and protected them from oxidative stress by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and increasing the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione (GSH) levels. Carthamin promoted extracellularly regulated protein kinase phosphorylation into the nucleus, permitting Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulating the gene expression of the rate-limiting enzymes glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit of GSH synthesis to obliterate free radicals and exert antioxidant effects. This study revealed the purification method of carthamin and its antioxidant protective effects, providing important insights into the application of carthamin in functional foods.

Current evidence, clinical applications, and future directions of transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for ischemic stroke

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain neurostimulation technique that can be used as one of the adjunctive treatment techniques for neurological recovery after stroke. Animal studies have shown that TMS treatment of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model reduced cerebral infarct volume and improved neurological dysfunction in model rats. In addition, clinical case reports have also shown that TMS treatment has positive neuroprotective effects in stroke patients, improving a variety of post-stroke neurological deficits such as motor function, swallowing, cognitive function, speech function, central post-stroke pain, spasticity, and other post-stroke sequelae. However, even though numerous studies have shown a neuroprotective effect of TMS in stroke patients, its possible neuroprotective mechanism is not clear. Therefore, in this review, we describe the potential mechanisms of TMS to improve neurological function in terms of neurogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-apoptosis, and provide insight into the current clinical application of TMS in multiple neurological dysfunctions in stroke. Finally, some of the current challenges faced by TMS are summarized and some suggestions for its future research directions are made.

Identification of oxidative stress-related genes and potential mechanisms in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of death in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an essential role in Atherosclerosis pathology. The aim of this study was to determine genetic mechanisms associated with Atherosclerosis and oxidative stress, as well as to construct a diagnostic model and to investigate its immune microenvironment. Seventeen oxidative stress-related genes were identified. A four-gene diagnostic model was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm based on these 17 genes. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.967. Based on the GO analysis, cell-substrate adherens junction and focal adhesion were the most enriched terms. KEGG analysis revealed that these overlapping genes were enriched in pathways associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as with prion disease pathways and ribosomes. Immune cell infiltration correlation analysis showed that the immune cells with significant differences were CD4 memory activated T cells and follicular helper T cells in the GSE43292 dataset and CD4 naïve T cells and CD4 memory resting T cells in the GSE57691 dataset. We identified 17 hub genes that were closely associated with oxidative stress in AS and constructed a four-gene (aldehyde dehydrogenase six family member A1 (ALDH6A1), eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (EEF2K), glutaredoxin (GLRX) and l-lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB)) diagnostic model with good accuracy. The four-gene diagnostic model was also found to have good discriminatory efficacy for the immune cell infiltration microenvironment of AS. Overall, these findings provide valuable information and directions for future research into Atherosclerosis diagnosis and aid in the discovery of biological mechanisms underlying AS with oxidative stress.

Gut microbiota, a hidden protagonist of traditional Chinese medicine for acute ischemic stroke

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading diseases causing death and disability worldwide, and treatment options remain very limited. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years to treat ischemic stroke and has been proven to have significant efficacy, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. As research related to the brain-gut-microbe axis progresses, there is increasing evidence that the gut microbiota plays an important role during AIS. The interaction between TCM and the gut microbiota has been suggested as a possible key link to the therapeutic effects of TCM. We have compiled and reviewed recent studies on the relationship between AIS, TCM, and gut microbiota, with the expectation of providing more ideas to elucidate the mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of AIS.

Chinese herbal injection for cardio-cerebrovascular disease: Overview and challenges

Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and there is currently no optimal treatment plan. Chinese herbal medicine injection (CHI) is obtained by combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and modern production technology. It retains some characteristics of TCM while adding injection characteristics. CHI has played an important role in the treatment of critical diseases, especially cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, and has shown unique therapeutic advantages. TCMs that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, such as Salvia miltiorrhiza, Carthami flos, Panax notoginseng, and Chuanxiong rhizoma, account for a large proportion of CHIs of cardio-cerebrovascular disease. CHI is used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular diseases and has potential pharmacological activities such as anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis, and anti-apoptosis. However, CHIs have changed the traditional method of administering TCMs, and the drugs directly enter the bloodstream, which may produce new pharmacological effects or adverse reactions. This article summarizes the clinical application, pharmacological effects, and mechanism of action of different varieties of CHIs commonly used in the treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, analyzes the causes of adverse reactions, and proposes suggestions for rational drug use and pharmaceutical care methods to provide a reference for the rational application of CHIs for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

TiO2-Nanowired Delivery of Chinese Extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb-761 and Bilobalide BN-52021 Enhanced Neuroprotective Effects of Cerebrolysin Following Spinal Cord Injury at Cold Environment

Military personnel during combat or peacekeeping operations are exposed to extreme climates of hot or cold environments for longer durations. Spinal cord injury is quite common in military personnel following central nervous system (CNS) trauma indicating a possibility of altered pathophysiological responses at different ambient temperatures. Our previous studies show that the pathophysiology of brain injury is exacerbated in animals acclimated to cold (5 °C) or hot (30 °C) environments. In these diverse ambient temperature zones, trauma exacerbated oxidative stress generation inducing greater blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cell damage. Extracts of Ginkgo biloba EGb-761 and BN-52021 treatment reduces brain pathology following heat stress. This effect is further improved following TiO₂ nanowired delivery in heat stress in animal models. Several studies indicate the role of EGb-761 in attenuating spinal cord induced neuronal damages and improved functional deficit. This is quite likely that these effects are further improved following nanowired delivery of EGb-761 and BN-52021 with cerebrolysin-a balanced composition of several neurotrophic factors and peptide fragments in spinal cord trauma. In this review, TiO₂ nanowired delivery of EGb-761 and BN-52021 with nanowired cerebrolysin is examined in a rat model of spinal cord injury at cold environment. Our results show that spinal cord injury aggravates cord pathology in cold-acclimated rats and nanowired delivery of EGb-761 and BN-52021 with cerebrolysin significantly induced superior neuroprotection, not reported earlier.

Non-medicinal parts of safflower (bud and stem) mediated sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under ultrasonication: optimization, characterization, antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer potential

The flower of safflower is widely used in Chinese herbal preparations and the non-medicinal parts have been applied to develop a sustainable green method, where AgNPs were generated using a mixture of leaf and stem after 12 h of incubation in the dark. In this study, we intend to improve the efficiency of the reduction reaction and optimize this green method by selecting other non-medicinal parts, such as the bud and the pure stem, evaluating the biosynthesis parameters and harnessing the assistance of ultrasonication. Visual observation and UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed that both safflower stem (SS) and bud (SB) mediated AgNPs (SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs, respectively) could be produced rapidly over time under ultrasonication. An alkaline solution could accelerate the formation of SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs with greater surface loads. SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs of small size could be obtained at pH 8.0 and 10.0, respectively. Large concentrations of SS and SB extract are also beneficial for forming AgNPs of small size. It is in acid and neutral solutions that monodispersed SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs can be generated. Characterization of selectively synthesized SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs demonstrated their spherical shape with the actual size below 30 nm covered by anions. Both SS-AgNPs and SB-AgNPs exhibited potent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The MIC values of SS-AgNPs for S. aureus and E. coli were 12.5 and 25.0 μg mL^-1, respectively, slightly superior to SB-AgNPs. In an in vitro anticancer assay, both kinds of AgNPs show potent toxicity action against the SW620 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 5.4 and 10.6 μg mL^-1, respectively. However, only SS-AgNPs reveal an inhibitory action against the HeLa cell line, where the IC₅₀ is found to be 26.8 μg mL^-1. These results provide experimental proof that the assistance of ultrasonication and adjusting the process parameters are efficient methods for promoting the reduction reaction, and both SS and SB mediated AgNPs could serve as a promising antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer agents.