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Assessing Neuroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Extract Using a Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Mouse Model
Published on: December 9, 2018
Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates mouse cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced neurological impairments through modulation of
Cong Yu1, Yisong Zhang1, Yijun Guo1
1Department of Neurosurgery, the People's Hospital of Shanghai Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion causes high disability, recurrence, and mortality. Ischemic stroke is a powerful stimulus that triggers significant microglia activation. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. In this study, the effects of GS-Rb1 against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion were explored. A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to mimic the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Mice in MCAO + GS-Rb1 groups received 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg GS-Rb1 through intraperitoneal injection. Modified neurological severity scoring (mNSS) showed neurological function, while the open field test tested the anxiety-like behaviors. Cognitive impairment was evaluated by Morris water maze. Protein levels were evaluated by ELISA and Western blot and mRNA levels were analyzed by qRT-PCR. When compared to the MCAO mice, mice in the MCAO + GS-Rb1 group had significantly lower mNSS scores and less brain water content. GS-Rb1 alleviated both cognitive impairment and anxiety and inhibited microglial activation in the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model. GS-Rb1 enhanced M2-type microglia polarization while inhibiting M1-type microglia polarization. In summary, we observed that GS-Rb1 had neuro-protective effects in a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mouse model through regulating the microglia polarization.
Insights
Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) protects the brain from stroke damage by reducing neurological deficits and anxiety. This neuroprotective effect is achieved by regulating microglia polarization, shifting from harmful M1 to beneficial M2 types.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion leads to significant disability and mortality.
- Microglia activation is a key response to ischemic stroke.
- Ginsenoside Rb1 (GS-Rb1) shows potential neuroprotective properties in the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of GS-Rb1 against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
- To evaluate GS-Rb1's impact on neurological function, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.
- To explore GS-Rb1's influence on microglial activation and polarization.
Main Methods:
- A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model was employed.
- GS-Rb1 was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg.
- Neurological function (mNSS), anxiety (open field test), and cognition (Morris water maze) were assessed.
- Protein and mRNA levels were analyzed using ELISA, Western blot, and qRT-PCR.
Main Results:
- GS-Rb1 treatment significantly reduced modified neurological severity scoring (mNSS) and brain water content.
- GS-Rb1 alleviated cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behaviors.
- GS-Rb1 inhibited overall microglial activation, promoting M2 polarization and suppressing M1 polarization.
Conclusions:
- GS-Rb1 demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.
- GS-Rb1 ameliorates neurological deficits, cognitive impairment, and anxiety.
- The neuroprotective mechanism involves the regulation of microglia polarization from M1 to M2 phenotypes.
