Naomaili Granules Attenuate Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major global cause of death and disability, necessitating urgent development of new therapeutic strategies.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers potential avenues for novel IS treatments.
• Naomaili granules (NML), derived from Buyang Huanwu Decoction, show promise for IS therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of NML on ischemic stroke in a rat model.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of NML action, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and pyroptosis.
• To evaluate NML's impact on neuronal cell damage and neurological function post-ischemia/reperfusion.

Main Methods:

• Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion (R) model in rats to induce ischemic stroke.
• Administration of NML to assess its effects on cerebral infarction volume, neurological deficits, and neuronal damage.
• Analysis of ER stress markers and cellular pyroptosis pathways, including the Ras Homolog Family Member A (RhoA)/pyrin pathway.

Main Results:

• NML significantly reduced cerebral infarction volume and neuronal cell damage in MCAO/R rats.
• NML administration led to marked improvement in neurological function.
• NML suppressed ER stress and attenuated cellular pyroptosis by inhibiting the RhoA/pyrin pathway.

Conclusions:

• Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induces ER stress and pyroptosis in rat cortical neurons, potentially mediated by the RhoA/pyrin pathway.
• NML demonstrates neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke by inhibiting ER stress and the RhoA/pyrin pathway.
• NML represents a promising therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke, reducing neuronal death and improving functional outcomes.