Synergistic effects of plasma-activated medium in combination with Baicalin against neuronal damage

Neurodegenerative disorders are chronic conditions that progressively damage and destroy parts of the nervous system, and are currently considered permanent and incurable. Alternative strategies capable of effectively healing neuronal damage have been actively pursued. Here, we report the neuroprotective effects of baicalin (BA) combined with plasma-activated medium (PAM) against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Through in vitro assays, the cell viability, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were evaluated. The co-application of BA and PAM significantly enhanced cell viability, reduced pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α and NF-κB), decreased apoptotic proteins (Bax and Caspase-3) and boosted antioxidative defenses (increased SOD activity and lowered ROS levels). This study confirms the potential of combining BA with PAM as an effective therapeutic strategy for mitigating the effects of excitotoxicity. PAM is a promising adjunct and potential drug delivery method in neuroprotective therapy, providing a new avenue for developing treatments for diseases characterized by neuronal damage.