Ting Zheng
Taotao Jiang- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a pathological process wherein reperfusion of an ischemic organ or tissue exacerbates the injury, posing a significant health threat and economic burden to patients and their families. I/R triggers a multitude of physiological and pathological events, such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neuronal cell death, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Hence, the development of effective therapeutic strategies targeting the pathological processes resulting from I/R is crucial for the rehabilitation and long-term enhancement of the quality of life in patients with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers refer to bioactive compounds extracted from Chinese herbal medicine, possessing anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, and the ability to modulate programmed cell death (PCD). TCM monomers have emerged as promising candidates for the treatment of CIRI and its subsequent complications. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that TCM monomers can enhance the recovery of neurological function following CIRI by mitigating oxidative stress, suppressing inflammatory responses, reducing neuronal cell death and functional impairment, as well as minimizing cerebral infarction volume. The neuroprotective effects of TCM monomers on CIRI have been extensively investigated, and a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms can pave the way for novel approaches to I/R treatment. This review aims to update and summarize evidence of the protective effects of TCMs in CIRI, with a focus on their role in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, PCD, glutamate excitotoxicity, Ca2+ overload, as well as promoting blood-brain barrier repairment and angiogenesis. The main objective is to underscore the significant contribution of TCM monomers in alleviating CIRI.
1 Introduction
Ischemic stroke, the most prevalent acute cerebrovascular disease worldwide, is typically caused by a temporary or permanent reduction in cerebral blood flow resulting from thrombosis or thromboembolic artery occlusion (Roth et al., 2020). Thrombolytic therapy, aimed at restoring cerebral perfusion in a timely manner, is the main treatment strategy for ischemic brain injury (Stoll et al., 2008). However, reperfusion can potentially promote secondary cell death and exacerbate brain injury, leading to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) (Datta et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022a). The pathophysiology and pathogenesis of CIRI are complex and multifaceted, involving mitochondrial disorders, increased oxidative stress/reactive oxygen species (ROS), destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), heightened inflammatory response and cell death (Leech et al., 2019; Ojo et al., 2019) (Figure 1). Current treatment for CIRI mainly includes thrombolytic therapy and conservative symptomatic therapy (such as drug and physical therapy). Although these traditional approaches can alleviate clinical symptoms to some extent, they rarely provide a cure by inhibiting the progression of the disease (Derex and Cho, 2017). The challenge in drug development stems from the intricate nature of CIRI’s pathological processes, which encompass pathological changes driven by factors that are not fully understood, including programmed cell death (PCD), oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. These pathological changes not only exert independent roles but also interact with each other, collectively accelerating CIRI. Therefore, it is imperative to explore novel drugs that target the underlying pathological progression of CIRI, with the goal of enhancing neurological recovery and prognosis in patients.
FIGURE 1. Mechanism of cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury.
In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) including herbs, formulas and monomers has gained considerable attention as an alternative and effective treatment for CIRI (Zhang et al., 2020a). TCM monomers, isolated from Chinese herbal medicine, are active substances with definite molecular formula and spatial structure (Wang et al., 2021a). They usually have specific pharmacological effects and targets and can be used for the treatment or prevention of CIRI. With the deepening understanding of TCM in recent years, some TCM monomers have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in CIRI (Wu et al., 2010). Compared with conventional therapy, TCM monomers possess unique and novel pharmacological mechanism advantages, allowing them to achieve similar therapeutic outcomes with reduced toxicity and side effects (Liu et al., 2020). Some beneficial TCM monomers, such as polyphenols, curcumin and puerarin, etc., have shown protective abilities in various animal models of nervous system diseases. Multiple experimental evidence has shown that TCM monomers may be effective in treating CIRI due to their antioxidant, free radical scavenging, anti-thrombotic and neuroprotective properties (Jivad and Rabiei, 2015; Ghandadi and Sahebkar, 2017; Mollazadeh et al., 2019). Furthermore, these TCM monomers can modulate multiple signaling pathways, influencing various pathophysiological processes of CIRI and alleviating its detrimental effects (Kovalska et al., 2012). Therefore, TCM monomers represent a crucial area of focus in the field of CIRI therapy in the future. In this review we arm to summarize the evidence the protective effects of TCM monomers on CIRI through diverse mechanisms. To elaborate the mechanism of TCM monomers in CIRI, we sorted out the relevant literature from 2013 to 2023 using databases sush as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, etc., with keywords such as “traditional Chinese medicine,” “cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,” “CIRI,” “mechanism,” etc. We screened 101 articles and identified 69 TCM monomers. The criteria for screening the literature: 1) based on an animal experiment, no restriction on animal species, gender, age, weight, and sample size; 2) involve a focal cerebral I/R damage model, caused by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion or middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R); 3) the experimental group was treated with only one traditional Chinese medicine monomer with specific dose or dose range but in no restriction on mode and time of initial treatment; 4) the control group was administered by saline, vehicle, or positive control drug or no treatment; 5) have one of the following outcomes available: infarct volume, neurological function score (NFS), and biochemical examinations; 6)including the specific and detailed mechanism of CIRI. Exclusion Criteria: The following exclusion criteria were also prespecified: 1) reviews, comments, case reports, editorials, clinical articles, and in vitro studies; 2) nonfocal brain I/R model, adopting global models (e.g., bilateral common carotid occlusion), traumatic models, or only hypoxic ischemic models; 3) absence of control group 4) outcome measures are not included in the literature; and 5) duplicated publications.
2 Protective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine monomers in CIRI
CIRI is a complex and dynamic process characterized by a series of mechanisms, including initial injury during the early stages of ischemia and subsequent injury following reperfusion. Insufficient blood flow during cerebral ischemia results in inadequate supply of glucose, oxygen, and excessive glutamate excitatory toxicity (Yang et al., 2018). The excessive release of glutamate can disrupt ion balance within cells, leading to Ca2+ overload (Kaviarasi et al., 2019). Ca2+ overload leads to the release of free radicals and NO, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage, ultimately resulting in oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and inflammation of excitatory amino acids, and ultimately lead to cell death including necrosis, apoptosis and other forms of PCD and neurological disorders (Thiebaut et al., 2019) (Figure 2). TCM monomers are regarded as potential therapeutic agents for improving CIRI, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and PCD, and modulating the pathological processes of CIRI through diverse mechanisms.
FIGURE 2. TCM monomers can play anti-inflammatory, antioxidant stress and promote angiogenesis in CIRI through related signaling pathways.
2.1 Effect caused by anti-oxidative stress
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of CIRI, leading to dysregulation of antioxidant defense system, cellular toxicity, damage and apoptosis (Liu et al., 2015). The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production and endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms is the underlying pathogenesis of CIRI (Li et al., 2018a). Endogenous antioxidant defense systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), deal with oxidant clearance and reduce oxidant-mediated brain damage. However, during CIRI, when the production of ROS/RNS exceeds the clearance capacity of the antioxidant defense system, oxidative stress is triggered, resulting in the release of numerous free radicals, lipid peroxidation, cell membrane damage, mitochondrial membrane destruction, and the exacerbation of cell injury and apoptosis (Perluigi et al., 2012; Sies, 2015). Moreover, oxidative stress during CIRI can directly induce DNA damage, activating pro-death signaling pathways and accelerating the apoptosis or necrosis of nervous system cells, thus impairing the recovery of neurological function (Li et al., 2018b). The reduction of oxidative stress through exogenous antioxidants is necessary in the context of CIRI.
Research conducted on a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) has demonstrated increased oxidative stress in the rat brain following injury. This is evident from the decrease in SOD activity, increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and elevated levels of oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (Meng et al., 2018). A large number of TCM monomers have the effect of anti-oxidative stress and could show good antioxidant activity in both in vivo and in vitro CIRI models (Xu et al., 2020; Zeng et al., 2022). Studies have found that glycosides could act as exogenous antioxidants and promote the activity of antioxidant enzymes. For instance, Ginsenosides have been shown to inhibit ROS production and enhance the activities of CAT, SOD2, and GSH-Px (Zhou et al., 2006). In the rat model of MCAO/R, treatment with Ginsenoside Rb1 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced MDA levels and increased the activities of SOD2 and GSH-Px. In addition, Ginsenoside Rb1 could also reduce the expression of NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and iNOS, as well as the activity of NOS in MCAO/R mice (Chen et al., 2015). The precise molecular mechanism underlying the antioxidant effects of glycosides remains unclear despite previous studies. Flavonoid monomers, in addition to their antioxidant effects, have been found to reduce oxidative stress in the MCAO/R rat model. Chrysin, for example, increased SOD levels and inhibited MDA expression after 5 days of administering a dose of 50 mg/kg (Shang et al., 2023). Similarly, eriocitrin was observed to provide protection against CIRI. In a study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered different doses of eriocitrin for 7 consecutive days. The group receiving a dosage of 32 mg/kg showed a significant increase in SOD expression in brain tissue and reduced MDA and LDH levels (He et al., 2020). Furthermore, eriocitrin was found to inhibit the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1/NF-κB signaling pathway, alleviating oxidative damage in CIRI rats. Several other TCM monomers have also exhibited protective effects against CIRI by inhibiting oxidative stress, such as arjunolic acid (Yaidikar and Thakur, 2015), berberine (Zhang et al., 2016a; Shou et al., 2022), salvianolic acid A (Mahmood et al., 2017) and paeoniflorin (Wu et al., 2020).
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a redox-sensitive transcription factor, when activated, interacts with antioxidant response elements to mediate antioxidant effects (Chen and Hsieh, 2020). Previous studies have shown that natural products or Chinese herbs exert a neuroprotective role against cerebral ischemia by activating the Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway. Thymoquinone, a phenolic monomer, has been found to regulate Nrf2 signaling in disease treatment, exerting a neuroprotective role and reducing dopaminergic neurodegeneration through Nrf2 signaling activation and subsequent alleviation of oxidative stress (Dong et al., 2020). Geraniin, a polyphenol TCM monomer, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic biological activities. Male MCAO/R rats treated with intraperitoneal injections of Geraniin for 3 consecutive days at dosages of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg·d exhibited significantly inhibited oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation, leading to increased SOD activity, reduced MDA and NO levels, and decreased infarct volume in CIRI. The concentration of 20 mg/kg·d showed the most prominent effects (Yang et al., 2022a). Britanin, an effective Nrf2 system inducer, inhibited the oxidative stress process by activating the Nrf2 protective pathway in the MCAO-R rat model (Wu et al., 2017a). However, in the CIRI process, the TCM monomers did not play the antioxidant role solely through the activation of Nrf2. Nrf2 could act in combination with signaling pathways such as Akt and MAPK. Akt is another upstream mediator of Nrf2, and knocking down of Akt can exacerbate brain I/R injury (Wu et al., 2021a). Neohesperidin, pre-administered via intraperitoneal injections once a day for 21 consecutive days at dosages of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg, significantly upregulated SOD, GSH-PX and CAT activity, reduced MDA and MPO levels and increased protein expression of HO-1 in the MCAO/R rat model, thus preventing oxidative stress. The elevation of antioxidants was achieved through the Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby protecting neurons from oxidative stress (Wang and Cui, 2013). A similar mechanism also has been reported by puerarin (Zhang et al., 2023). Emodin, on the other hand, can induce Nrf2 signal transduction through upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby preventing inflammation and exerting antioxidant activity (de Oliveira et al., 2021) (Table 1).
TABLE 1. Effects and mechanisms of different TCM monomers on oxidative stress in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.
2.2 Inhibition of inflammation
Inflammation is a pathological reaction of the body to infections or tissue damage, and an important pathological process leading to ischemic brain injury and neurological dysfunction (Jin et al., 2010). Following reperfusion in the ischemic area, circulating cells (neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages) and tissue resident cells (microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells) gather and migrate to the ischemic brain tissue in response to chemokines and cell adhesion molecules. This accumulation of cells is activated by the release of danger-/damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), leading to the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (Arvin et al., 1996; Anrather and Iadecola, 2016). Inflammatory mediators and DAMPs promote inflammation by promoting chemotaxis of circulating immune cells (Iadecola and Anrather, 2011).
Numerous TCM monomers have demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation after CIRI by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α play a crucial role in the inflammatory response following CIRI. They can activate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), disrupt the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and contribute to BBB injury and hemorrhagic transformation (Lambertsen et al., 2012; Yang et al., 2019a). In the MCAO/R model, pretreatment with ginsenoside Rg1 at varying doses (40 mg/kg/day) once a day for 5 days significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Additionally, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the phosphorylation of IκBα (p < 0.01). Ginsenoside Rg1 also reduced infarct volume, improved neurological deficit scores, and ameliorated histological appearance (p < 0.05) (Wang et al., 2018; Zheng et al., 2019). In addition, in a different study using the MCAO/R rat models, treatment of berberine at 40 mg/kg was able to promote the recovery of motor function after focal cerebral ischemia by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines at this concentration (Maleki et al., 2018). Phenolic monomers are also anti-inflammatory agents of cerebral ischemic injury. In a 2 h/22 h I/R rat model of MCAO, a dose of 200 mg/kg curcumin can reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS by inhibiting the TLR4/p38/MAPK pathway, thereby inhibiting inflammatory response and improving brain injury and nerve function (Huang et al., 2018). Icariin (Zheng et al., 2022), diosgenin (Zhang et al., 2022), and syringin (Liu et al., 2022) administered in the MCAO rat model, improved brain injury and neurologic function by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 to inhibit the inflammatory response.
The TLR4 and NF-κB pathways are signaling pathways function to regulate inflammation, and their activation is often associated with inflammatory responses (Clausen et al., 2016; Cho et al., 2019). Recent studies have shown that the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in the destructive inflammatory process of brain I/R injury. Increased expression of TLR4 protein in the plasma membrane activates TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6)/NF-κB signaling through myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). Binding of TLR4 to MyD88 leads to the activation of TRAF6 and NF-κB (Tsakiri et al., 2008). Many TCM monomers have been shown to target the TLR4/NF-κB pathway involved in the treatment of CIRI inflammation. In a CIRI study, rats in the MCAO1h/R24 h model were pretreated with salvianolic acid B intravenously at a dosage of 30 mg/kg once a day for 5 days. It was found that salvianolic acid B exerted an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective role by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of the TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6/NF-kB signaling pathway and reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine response (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) (Wang et al., 2016). In addition, in another study, MCAO/R rats were treated with various concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) of Daphnetin. It was found that Daphnetin at 20 mg/kg concentration could significantly reduce the overexpression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and alleviate apoptosis of nerve cells, thus exerting neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects (Liu et al., 2016a) (Figure 2.).In addition to the TCM monomers, casticin (Huang et al., 2021a), saikosaponin A (Wang and Yang, 2020), salvianolic acid D (Zhang et al., 2020b), schisandrin B (Fan et al., 2020) and Z-Guggulsterone (Liu et al., 2018) have all played neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in CIRI by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB (Table 2).
TABLE 2. Effects and mechanisms of anti-inflammatory responses of different TCM monomers in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
2.3 Inhibition of programmed cell death
CIRI is a series of processes, including cell death, that leads to deterioration of neurological function. CIRI has been reported to be associated with programmed cell death (PCD), including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis and ferroptosis. Therefore, inhibition of PCD is very important for CIRI. Further investigations into TCM monomers have revealed their potential to inhibit PCD and provide protective effects in CIRI (Figure 3).
FIGURE 3. Inhibition of programmed cell death (apoptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis) by related TCM monomers in CIRI pathology.
2.3.1 Inhibition of apoptosis
Apoptosis is a regulated form of cell death characterized by cell contraction, cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation, and the formation of apoptotic bodies (Obeng, 2021). It is a unique gene-regulated process of cell death that is primarily triggered or accelerated during reperfusion or reoxygenation (Li and Jackson, 2002; Vanden Hoek et al., 2003). Various factors, such as disruption of calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and neuroinflammation, have been implicated in apoptosis induction (Broughton et al., 2009; Shin et al., 2018). Brain tissue ischemia leads to a decrease in intracellular ATP levels, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, translocation of Bax from the cytosol to the mitochondrial outer membrane, caspase activation, and initiation of apoptosis. Reperfusion not only amplifies this process but also provides the energy required for apoptosis (Eefting et al., 2004; Dorweiler et al., 2007). Cell apoptosis is a dynamic process, and the number of apoptotic cells increases with prolonged reperfusion time, further exacerbating brain injury (Zhang et al., 2016b). Apoptosis induced by CIRI is an important pathway of cell death, which can significantly aggravate neurological impairment in patients with cerebral infarction (Uzdensky, 2019). Therefore, timely intervention of cell apoptosis is beneficial to the prognosis of CIRI.
Caspase family members, including Caspase-3 and Caspase-8, are known to be essential factors regulating apoptosis (Kuranaga, 2012). Some TCM monomers can inhibit apoptosis by targeting Caspase-3, thereby exerting an anti-apoptotic protective role in ischemic brain injury (Chen et al., 2020). In MCAO/R rat models, baicalin and ginkgolide B inhibit cell apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreasing caspase-3 levels (Yang et al., 2019b; Yang et al., 2021). Ligustrazine, a long-used therapeutic agent for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, plays a significant role in preventing neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of CD62P, Sphk1, S1PR1, Bax/Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 (Gao et al., 2015). In a mouse MCAO/R model with CIRI, ligustrazine targeted the circ_0008146/miR-709/Cx3cr1 axis to inhibit apoptosis after CIRI (Li et al., 2022b). TCM monomers have been reported to act on multiple targets within various signaling pathways, thereby alleviating CIRI-induced apoptosis. Polygalasaponin F promotes the expression of Bcl-2 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio while inhibiting the expression of Bax and caspase-3 by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway (Xie et al., 2020). In oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-treated primary cortical neurons, platycodin D decreases the expression of Bax but increases the expression of Bcl-2 by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway (Wang et al., 2019a). Moreover, vitexin and triptolide inhibit cell apoptosis in MCAO rats by suppressing the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/MAPK signaling pathway, leading to increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax expression, ultimately reducing neurological deficits and neuronal damage (Wang et al., 2015a; Hao et al., 2015). Additionally, ginkgetin (Tian et al., 2019), dihydrocapsaicin (Wu et al., 2017b), carbenoxolone (Wang et al., 2015b), and genistein (Lu et al., 2019) activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, inhibit apoptosis, and decrease the number of apoptotic cells.
2.3.2 Regulation of autophagy
Autophagy is a cellular process whereby cells engulf cytoplasmic proteins or organelles, enclosing them into vesicles that fuse with lysosomes to form autophagosomes. These autophagosomes degrade their contents and contribute to the maintenance of organizational structure and function, promoting homeostasis under developmental and stress conditions (Shi et al., 2018). Appropriately regulated autophagy serves as a protective mechanism, playing a crucial role in cell survival and intracellular environment stability during stress states such as ischemia and hypoxia.
The beneficial or detrimental effects of autophagy on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury depend on the degree and timing of autophagic activity. Previous research has demonstrated that TCM monomers can modulate autophagy to ameliorate CIRI. For instance, ephedrine and galuteolin have been found to inhibit autophagy (Zhu et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2021). Vitexin, puerarin, and alphaasarone have been reported to reduce neuronal autophagy by decreasing Beclin1 expression and the LC3II/LC3I ratio, thus mitigating autophagic activity, while astragaloside IV and nicotiflorin could enhance autophagy and reduce neuronal apoptosis by increasing LC3II/LC3I ratio (Hongyun et al., 2017; Jiang et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2019a; Zhang et al., 2021a; Wang et al., 2021b). In addition, TCM monomers preconditioning could also reduce autophagy in CIRI. Pre-administration of betulinic acid (50 mg/kg in vivo) could increase the expression of SIRT1, reduce the acetylation of FOXO1, and thus reduce the expression of autophagy protein (Zhao et al., 2021). Phillyrin (100 mg/kg in vivo, 80 μm in vitro) could reduce the expression of autophagy protein in MCAO/R animal models and H2O2-induced cell models, thereby reducing CIRI (Chen et al., 2022a). Autophagy has also been enhanced through pre-administration of berberine (40 mg/kg in vivo, 10−5 μg/L in vitro) (Zhang et al., 2016c).
TCM monomers modulate the process of autophagy by targeting various cellular signaling pathways. Deltonin (100 mg/kg) from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H.Wright inhibited the expression of autophagy proteins Beclin-1, LC3II/I and p62 by directly reducing the expression of p-Akt and p-mTOR in MACO/R models (Zhang et al., 2020c). In addition, curcumin at a dose of 200 mg/kg can also reduce autophagy activity by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in the MCAO/R model (Huang et al., 2018). In MCAO/R rat model and OGD/R HT22 cell model, Eugenol derived from traditional Chinese medicine Acorus gramineus Aiton significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation, decreased phosphorylation of mTOR and P70S6Ks, enhances the expression of autophagy related proteins Beclin-1, LC3II/I and p62 (Sun et al., 2020). (Figure 4.)
FIGURE 4. Inhibition of glutamate excitatory toxicity/Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial protection and regulation of autophagy by related TCM monomers in CIRI pathology.
2.3.3 Inhibition of pyroptosis
Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory programmed cell death pathway that depends on the activation of inflammasomes and is driven by the binding of cytoplasmic sensor proteins to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or DAMPs (Sapkota et al., 2017). The inflammatory body complex is typically composed of Nod-like receptors (NLRPs) containing the pyranoid domain, adaptor apoptosis-associated speckle like proteins (ASC) containing CARD, and caspase. The oligomerization of NLRP3 with ASC and procaspase 1 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to the cleavage of procaspase 1. The activated caspase-1 then cleaves pre-IL-1β and pre-IL-18, generating the mature forms of these proteins, namely, IL-1β and IL-18, respectively (Sapkota et al., 2017). At present, the research on the inhibition of pyroptosis by TCM monomers mainly focused on their role on the formation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.
TCM monomers have been found to reduce CIRI by inhibiting the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Studies have demonstrated that baicalin could decrease infarct size in MCAO/R rats, suppress the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and inhibit pyroptosis by reducing the expression of pyroptosis-associated proteins (ASC, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) (Zheng et al., 2021). In addition, ephedrine (40 mg/kg) inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and decreased the expression of Caspase-1 and IL-1β by activating Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)/Nrf2 pathway in MCAO/R mice, effectively inhibiting microglia pyroptosis and thus playing a neuroprotective role in CIRI (Li et al., 2021). In addition to baicalin and ephedrine, other TCM monomers have also been proven to play an anti-pyroptosis role by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, such as ginsenoside Rd (Yao et al., 2022), sinomenine (Qiu et al., 2016), diosmetin (Shi et al., 2022). In addition, Chinese medicine monomers could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome in CIRI to play an anti-pyroptotic role by regulating various signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, and JAK2/STAT3 Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3(STAT3) signaling pathway. The NF-κB pathway plays a central role in the aggregation of NLRP3 components and the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation (Hasanzadeh et al., 2020). For instance, curcumin and rubesin inhibited NF-κB signaling, thereby reducing NLRP3 inflammasome activity and exerting an anti-pyroptotic effect (Ran et al., 2021a; Jia et al., 2021). Nrf2 has been shown to negatively regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation and plays an important role in CIRI. Astragaloside IV and ginsenoside Rd inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis through Nrf2 modulation (Xiao et al., 2021; Yao et al., 2022). AMPK influences neuronal repair and angiogenesis in ischemic tissue during CIRI (Chen et al., 2019). Hispidulin and ephedrine exert their neuroprotective effects both in vivo and in vitro by modulating the AMPK/GSK-3β signaling pathway to alleviate NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis (An et al., 2019; Li et al., 2021). Sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1) activation is also important in neuroprotective mechanisms (Wang et al., 2019b). Tetrandrine and arctigenin have been found to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome by activating SIRT-1, thereby reducing pyroptotic cell injury in in vivo and in vitro experiments (Zhang et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2020b).
2.3.4 Inhibition of ferroptosis
Ferroptosis is a recently identified form of cell death characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process is regulated by the inactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which normally reduces lipid peroxides at the expense of glutathione (GSH). Ferroptosis exhibits three distinct features: 1) the accumulation of iron, which leads to the fenton chemical reaction, resulting in the release of large amounts of ROS; 2) The metabolism of certain amino acids was disordered, the expression of GPX4 and ferritin was increased, and the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase member 4 (ACSL4) was increased; 3) unlike apoptosis and necrosis, ferroptosis involves structural damage to mitochondria, including reduced mitochondrial volume, increased bilayer membrane density, and even the disappearance of mitochondrial cristae.
Guo et al. have shown that carthamin yellow could reduce the accumulation of ROS and free iron in the brain tissue of MCAO/R model animals, increased the levels of GPX4 and GSH, thus reducd neuronal injury and improving CIRI (Guo et al., 2021). In addition, β-Caryophyllene has similar effects to ferrostatin-1, an iron scavenger and ferroptosis inhibitor. β-Caryophyllene could inhibit hypoxia-induced iron overload, improve neuronal survival rate and upregulate GSH level, decrease ROS level, downregulate ACSL4 protein expression, ferritin and Gpx4 protein expression, and alleviate mitochondrial structure damage after OGD/R injury. The mechanism may be to improve the survival of astrocytes through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and thus reduced neurological function defects (Hu et al., 2022). In addition, other studies have found that rehmannioside A could reduce CIRI by activating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 and SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway of ferroptosis (Fu et al., 2022). From the above studies, it is not difficult to find that TCM monomers could play a role in programmed cell death in CIRI through a variety of pathways (Table 3).
TABLE 3. Effects and mechanisms of different TCM monomers on programmed cell death in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
2.4 Repairing damaged blood-brain barrier
BBB forms a mechanical and functional barrier between the systemic circulation and the central nervous system, and its integrity is important for homeostasis and function of CNS (Chen et al., 2012; Mirshekari Jahangiri et al., 2020). BBB disruption caused by CIRI contributed to vasogenic brain edema, which ultimately aggravates ischemic brain injury (Huang et al., 2018). Reperfusion after ischemia leads to progressive deterioration in BBB permeability, resulting in cytotoxic edema, ionic edema, vasogenic edema, and hemorrhagic transformation (Abdullahi et al., 2018; Khoshnam et al., 2018). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are regulators of capillary permeability, and activation of MMPs can change the integrity of BBB, thereby increasing the permeability of the BBB (Rosenberg et al., 1998; Asahi et al., 2001). Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are crucial regulators of BBB function, as they can inhibit MMP activity and reduce BBB permeability following CIRI (Fujimoto et al., 2008).
It has been reported that a variety of TCM monomers could repair BBB, such as various saponins (ginsenoside Rg1, astragaloside IV, etc.), a variety of phenols (sparganin C, curcumin, etc.) and other TCM monomers. Saponins could upregulate the expression of tight junctions (TJs) and downregulate the expression of MMP-9 and AQP-4, thus repaired CIRI-induced BBB disorder. In MCAO/R rats, ginsenoside-Rg1 (20 mg/kg for 14 days) inhibited the expression of MMP-9 and AQP-4, while promoted TJs to improve the permeability of BBB (Xie et al., 2015). It is also found that astragaloside IV maintained the integrity of BBB. Astragaloside IV (20 mg/kg) could reduced the expression of MMP-9 and AQP4, and at the same time increased TJs to improve the permeability of BBB, thus eased the damage in the MCAO/R rat model (Li et al., 2013). It has been reported that phenols are involved in the integrity of BBB by regulating the expression of MMPs and TIMPs. Curcumin (300 mg/kg) was found to reduce neurological scores, infarct volume, morphological changes, Evans blue leakage, and immunoglobulin G extravasation, as well as BBB injury and neutrophil infiltration. BBB could also be protected against CIRI by up-regulating tight junction protein (TJP) and decreasing the expression of AQP4 and brain water content (Wu et al., 2021b). In addition, sparganin C (30 mg/kg) upregulates TIPM1/MMP protein ratio by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, promoting BBB integrity after injury in MCAO/R rat models (Liang et al., 2022). In addition to the above saponins and phenolic TCM, quercetin (Yang et al., 2022b), methylophiopogonanone A (Lin et al., 2015), magnolol (Liu et al., 2017), etc., could also repair CIRI induced blood-brain barrier disorders by regulating the expression levels of MMPs, TIMP and AQP4 (Table 4).
TABLE 4. Effects and mechanisms of different TCM monomers on repairing blood-brain barrier and neovascularization in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
2.5 The role of promoting angiogenesis
A Angiogenesis is a physiological process that involves the growth of new capillaries from existing blood vessels through sprouting. It serves as a natural defense mechanism in humans and animals against ischemic injury by restoring oxygen and nutrient supply to affected tissues, ultimately promoting long-term functional recovery (Slevin et al., 2006; Beck and Plate, 2009). Angiogenesis is regulated by a delicate balance between angiogenic growth factors (such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (b-FGF2), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), etc.) and angiogenic inhibitors, which govern endothelial cell migration and proliferation. In response to CIRI, hypoxia triggers the release of angiogenic factors within the existing vascular system, resulting in elevated levels of angiogenic growth factors in microvessels and facilitating neurovascularization (Fan and Yang, 2007). Released VEGF binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) on vascular endothelial cells, initiating capillary formation (Hayashi et al., 2003). Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), an endogenous ligand of the endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2, plays a role in promoting vascular endothelial integrity, stability, and maintenance (Chen et al., 2009).
Various TCM monomers have been reported to alleviate CIRI by promoting angiogenesis (Shen et al., 2022). Saponins in CIRI promoted angiogenesis after CIRI by up-regulating expression of vascular growth factors (VEGF, TGF-β, b-FGF2, PDGF). In vivo and in vitro experiments, Notoginsenoside R1 restored cerebral blood flow by improving the structure of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and up-regulating the expression of various angiogenic factors (Zhu et al., 2021). Meanwhile, ginsenoside F1 (50 mg/Kg/day for 14 days) could improve focal cerebral blood perfusion by promoting angiogenesis and increasing microvascular density, thus alleviated CIRI in rats with MCAO (Zhang et al., 2019b). The VEGF/vasohibin and Ang-1/Tie-2 signaling pathway are involved in angiogenesis and maturation. In MCAO/R rat model, engeletin upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF and Ang-1, increased capillary density and enhanced angiogenesis in the ischemic boundry zones (Liu et al., 2021) (Figure 2). In addition to saponins, other TCM monomers such as DI-3-n-butylphthalein (Huang et al., 2021b), salvianolic acid B (Bi et al., 2022), morroniside (Liu. et al., 2016b) and cardamonin (Ni et al., 2022) can also promote angiogenesis in CIRI (Table 4).
2.6 Inhibition of glutamate excitatory toxicity/Ca2+ overload
Elevated levels of glutamate can lead to the overstimulation of glutaminergic receptors on postsynaptic neurons, resulting in excitotoxicity. Glutamate binds to glutamate alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) receptors and kainate (KA) receptors, causing the opening of Na + channels and an influx of Na+. This acute cell swelling and neuronal death can occur. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, when bound by a large amount of glutamate, open Ca2+ channels, leading to excessive Ca2+ influx. Intracellular mechanisms responsible for reducing Ca2+ levels, such as the calcium pump (PMCA pump) and exchange body (NCX exchange), become damaged due to calcium overload. In addition to glutamate excitotoxicity, other factors, such as voltage-gated calcium channels (mainly L-VGCCs) and ligand-gated calcium channel overactivation during energy deficiency, can also cause abnormal increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration.
Some studies have confirmed that TCM monomer could inhibit glutamate excitatory toxicity and Ca2+ overload to alleviate CIRI. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, baicalin protected neurons from glutamate toxicity by protecting glutamine synthetase of astrocytes from ROS-induced carbylation and degradation of 20 S proteasome, increased glutamate-processing capacity of astrocytes (Song et al., 2020). In addition, ginsenoside Rd (50 mg/kg in vivo, 10 μmol in vitro) also reduced the excitotoxic injury of neurons by reducing NMDA receptor 2B subunit (NR2B) and its phosphorylation (Xie et al., 2016). In TCM monomers effect of Ca2+ overload, astragaloside IV (20 mg/kg in vivo, 100 μmol/L in vitro) alleviated CIRI by inhibiting calcium sensitive receptors and reducing apoptosis (Du et al., 2021a). In addition, another target of the regulation of calcium concentration by TCM monomers is Na + expression/Ca2+ exchanger (NCXs) protein. In both vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that intraventricular administration of cannabidiol (200 ng/rat) significantly enhanced the expression of NCX2 and NCX3 in CIRI rats, regulated calcium activity and reduced excitatory toxicity (Khaksar and Bigdeli, 2017). In addition, improving mitochondrial function could also reduce Ca2+ overload, for example, ligustilide mitigated Ca2+ overload by reducing mitochondrial division (Wu et al., 2022) (Figure 4) (Table 5).
TABLE 5. Effects and mechanisms of different TCM monomers on Inhibition of glutamate excitatory toxicity/Ca2+ overload, Mitochondrial protection in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
2.7 Mitochondrial protection
The excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+ during CIRI leads to the overopening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTP), alterations in mitochondrial permeability, and disruption of membrane structure. This results in a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, the disappearance of ion gradients across the inner mitochondrial membrane, and ultimately mitochondrial dysfunction. In turn, mitochondrial dysfunction exacerbates energy supply disturbances, oxidative stress damage, and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in brain cells. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction can trigger mitochondrial fission, fusion, and mitophagy, which help maintain cellular homeostasis by eliminating damaged or depolarized mitochondria.
Many studies have shown that TCM monomers could improve CIRI by improving mitochondrial function and structural integrity. A variety of TCM monomers protected mitochondrial function by improving mitochondrial membrane potential, such as polydatin and curcumin. Polydatin (30 mg/kg) improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reduced neuronal apoptosis (Gao et al., 2016). Curcumin (350 mg/kg) increased MMP, mitochondrial complex I activity and mitochondrial cytochrome enzyme C levels to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction and thus reduced cell apoptosis (Miao et al., 2016). Another study found that low-dose curcumin (100 mg/kg in vivo, 5 µM in vitro) could improve mitochondrial function, increase LC3 II, mitochondrial marker VDAC1 colocalization, LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and enhance mitophagy (Wang and Xu, 2020). Chikusetsu saponin V (50 mg/kg in vivo, 50 μM in vitro) reduced deacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) through AMPK/SIRT-1 pathway, downregulated ROS and maintained mitochondrial respiration (Zhang et al., 2021b). In addition, ligustilide (20 mg/kg in vivo, 20 μM in vitro) promoted DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission and induced mitophagy by activating AMPK, thereby alleviating CIRI (Khaksar and Bigdeli, 2017). It is also found that ligustilide (20 mg/kg in vivo, 20 μM in vitro) could improve CIRI by enhancing PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Different TCM monomers with the same mechanism of action include Caryophyllene (Mao et al., 2022; Rao et al., 2022). In addition, atractylenolide III (10 mg/kg in vivo, 1 μM in vitro) from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz could also alleviate neuroinflammation by reducing microglial Drp1 translocation and phosphorylated mitochondrial division via JAK2/STAT3 (Zhou et al., 2019) (Figure 4) (Table 5).
2.8 Others
Apart from the aforementioned effects, TCM monomers also play a significant role in neurotransmitter release, neurogenesis, microglia polarization, neurovascular unit function, and related complications such as cognitive impairment and depression in the context of CIRI. In an MCAO model, salidroside (80 mg/kg) could enhance the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the striatum and SNpc to increase the content of dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the striatum. Thus, behavioral disorders caused by CIRI improved (Zhong et al., 2019). Astragaloside IV (2 μg/kg) promoted the differentiation of neural stem cells and increased neurogenesis (Ni et al., 2020). In addition, the polarization of microglia is another target of TCM monomers. Baicalein (100 mg/kg) reduced the polarization of microglia to M1 type and inhibited neuroinflammation (Ran et al., 2021b). Neurovascular unit dysfunction is an important pathological process during CIRI. In recent years, it has been found that TCM monomers could improve neurovascular unit dysfunction. It has been reported that 270 mg/kg dose of morroniside in MCAO model significantly increased the recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), the expression of angiogenic factors and the formation of new blood vessels around infarction, thereby protecting the integrity of neurovascular unit microvessels and improving cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (Sun et al., 2014). In addition, studies have also found that TCM monomers improved CIRI complications such as cognitive impairment and depression symptoms. Curcumin (300 mg/kg, 20 μmol/L) has been reported to alleviate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of miR-7-5p/RelA p65, improving cognitive dysfunction after CIRI (Xu et al., 2019). Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (16 mg/kg) improved cognitive impairment by rescuing damaged long-term enhancement (LTP) in the hippocampus of MCAO/R rats (Yu et al., 2018). In addition to improving neurovascular unit dysfunction and cognitive impairment, TCM monomers played an important role in alleviating post-stroke depression. Astragaloside VI (2 μg/kg, 100 nM) miligated post-stroke depression by increasing DA and 5-HT release through upregulation of the MEK/ERK pathway mediated by the neurotrophic factor neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) (Chen et al., 2022b). Curcumin (100 mg/kg in vivo) inhibited the activation of calcium channels by inhibiting P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) to reduce the symptoms of post-stroke depression in rats (Wang et al., 2020b). In addition, some scholars have found that the ginsenoside Rb1 could improve lung and intestinal barrier damage after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (Su et al., 2022). Butylphthalide a traditional Chinese medicine monomer that has been used in clinical practice, could increase blood perfusion by improving vasoconstriction and reduce thrombosis at the dose of 90 mg/Kg (Qin et al., 2019).
To conclude, TCM monomers can effectively prevent and treat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by employing various mechanisms such as inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, glutamate excitatory toxicity, Ca2+ overload and programmed cell death. Additionally, they facilitate the repair of the blood-brain barrier, promote angiogenesis, improve neurotransmitter release, protect neurovascular unit integrity, and alleviate post-stroke cognitive depression and systemic symptoms. Therefore, it is considered that the effect of TCM monomers on ischemia-reperfusion injury is multi-target, and the scope of research has also expanded from the initial neurons to other cellular components such as microglia, astrocytes and neurovascular units.
3 Traditional Chinese medicine monomers related to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
Due to the intricate pharmacology of TCM preparations, pinpointing their exact mechanism of action can be challenging. However, TCM monomers offer distinct advantages in terms of their well-defined mechanisms, predictable pharmacological actions, and reduced potential for drug interactions. As a result, the use of TCM monomers in the treatment of various diseases, including CNS injury conditions like CIRI caused by diverse mechanisms, has garnered significant attention in recent years.
3.1 Phenols
Salvianolic acid B Salvianolic acid B is a water-soluble product of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, which can be used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Zhou et al., 2005). In stroke, salvianolic acid B could reduce brain injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammation, reducing brain edema, and increasing neurological function score (Lv et al., 2015).
Curcumin Curcumin is a plant component isolated from Curcuma longa L with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fibrosis, and antioxidant effects, and has multiple effects on the central nervous system (Priyadarsini, 2014). Curcumin attenuated autophagy activity by mediating Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase B (Akt)/the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, inhibited inflammation by regulating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/p38/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (Huang et al., 2018), and protected BBB from destruction by inducing oxidative stress response, leukocyte infiltration, complement activation and mitochondrial biogenesis disorder. It played a protective role in CIRI (Bavarsad et al., 2019).
3.2 Glycosides
Astragaloside IV Astragaloside IV is an effective component of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, which is widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China (Zhang et al., 2020d). Many studies have confirmed that astragaloside IV could improve neurological deficits, reduce infarct volume and BBB permeability, and provide neuroprotection during CIRI through its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects (Wang et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2019a; Xu et al., 2020).
Ginsenoside Rg1 Ginsenoside Rg1 is an active component isolated from the total saponins of Panax quinquefolius L. Rg1 could significantly reduce the infarct volume and reduce the neurological deficit caused by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (Zeng et al., 2014). The reasons may be related to anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects as well as promotion of BBB repair and prevention of calcium overload (Yang et al., 2020).
3.3 Terpenoids
Ginkgolide B Ginkgolide B (GB) is a terpenolactone component of Ginkgo biloba L Extract, which has neuroprotective and antioxidant effects (Singh et al., 2019). GB has been shown to inhibit I/R-induced nuclear factor NF-kappaB (NF-κB) and microglia activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in focal I/R models, and significantly reduce infarct volume, brain edema, and neurological deficits (Gu et al., 2012).
Artemisinin Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone peroxide extracted from Artemisia annua L leaves (Mohammadi et al., 2020). In ischemic stroke, artemisinin can significantly inhibit apoptosis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation (Peng et al., 2022). Artesunate is a semi-synthetic antimalarial compound derived from artemisinin (Morris et al., 2011). Artesunate may be a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic cerebrovascular disease (Zhang et al., 2020e). Studies have shown that artesunate ameliorated damage caused by TBI via its anti-inflammatory activity and regulated neurotrophic factors that play a key role in neuronal survival (Gugliandolo et al., 2018). Artesunate also protected BBB by activating sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1), enhancing PI3K activation and stabilizing beta-catenin in SAH mice (Zuo et al., 2017).
3.4 Flavonoids
Icariin Icariin is the main component of flavonoids extracted from Epimedium sagittatum, which has been proven to have potential preventive and therapeutic effects on nervous system diseases. Because of its biological activities related to anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, it could reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and accelerate the recovery of motor function after nerve injury (Jia et al., 2019).
Puerarin Puerarin is an isoflavone compound extracted from Neorautanenia mitis, which can protect organs from I/R injury through various mechanisms, such as reducing lactic acid production, inhibiting inflammatory response, antioxidant, promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting autophagic reaction, etc (Gao et al., 2022). Puerarin improved the outcome of CIRI, reduce infarct volume and improve nerve function. Puerarin could remove free radicals, increase cerebral blood flow, play a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory role in CIRI, reduce infarct volume, and thus improve the outcome of CIRI (Zhou et al., 2014).
Vitexin Vitexin is a bioactive flavonoid compound from Ficus thonningii Blume with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, neuroprotective and cardioprotective biological activities (Hu et al., 2023). In current studies on CIRI, vitexin has been found to have protective properties on CIRI by regulating MAPK and B-lymphocyte tumor-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 related x protein (Bax) signaling pathway (Jiang et al., 2018). MCAO-induced autophagy can also be inhibited by activating mTOR/the mammalian autophagy-initiating kinase Ulk1 pathway to reduce oxidative stress damage and inflammation (Hongyun et al., 2017). In addition, it also played a protective role in brain injury caused by CIRI through regulating brain endothelial permeability (Cui et al., 2019).
Baicalin Baicalin is the main component isolated from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and many other bioactive properties and has been used in the treatment of various diseases (Jiang et al., 2020; Nam et al., 2020). Previous studies have confirmed that baicalin can participate in multi-stage cascade reaction after ischemic stroke and alleviate focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (Long et al., 2022).
3.5 Others
Ligustrazine Ligustrazine is the main active ingredient of Conioselinum anthriscoides ‘Chuanxiong’, which is widely used in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease due to its function of promoting blood circulation and migration, differentiation, and proliferation of neural stem cells (Guo et al., 1983). Ligustrazine is favored in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, which could protect neurons in a variety of ways (Du et al., 2021b). In focal ischemic stroke, ligustrazine has protective effects such as lowering the blood-brain barrier, dilating cerebral vessels, preventing thrombosis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and activating microglia cells (Lin et al., 2021).
Phillyrin Phillyrin is an important active ingredient extracted from Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other physiological functions (Han et al., 2018), and could reduce I/R damage by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and autophagy pathways (Chen et al., 2022a).
Berberine Berberine (BBR) is the major constitutes of Coptis chinensis Franch. Because BBR can cross the blood-brain barrier, BBR can play a neuroprotective role in ischemic brain injury (Liu et al., 2019). In CIRI, BBR may reduce neuronal apoptosis by reducing the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and increasing the proportion of Bcl-2/Bax (Sun et al., 2020). In addition, BBR reduced ischemic brain injury by decreasing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway (Zhou et al., 2008).
Dl-3-N-butylphthalide (NBP):DI-3-N-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a family of compounds initially isolated from the seeds of Apium graveolens L. It has shown significant neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury. NBP has peotective effects such as inhibiting platelet aggregation, preventing vasoconstriction, reducing mitochondrial damage, down-regulating cell apoptosis, attenuating oxidative stress and promoting neurogenesis (Abdoulaye and Guo, 2016).
4 Discussion and future perspectives
4.1 Limitations of current research on traditional Chinese medicine monomers
The current research on TCM monomers and their protective effects in CIRI is primarily based on preclinical experimental studies (Xie et al., 2018; Li et al., 2022c). However, there are certain limitations in the epidemiological studies conducted on TCM monomers and CIRI. These limitations include study design, small sample sizes, variations in the dosage of TCM monomers, and differences in the administration modes. Most of the studies in the field of CIRI and TCM monomers are still at the cellular or rodent stage. Although some TCM monomers have progressed to the preclinical research stage, the route of administration plays a significant role in determining the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the drug (Fleischmann et al., 2019). Oral administration, for instance, is subject to the first-pass effect, resulting in only a small portion of the active ingredient crossing the blood-brain barrier to reach the intended site. Moreover, oral administration may also induce various adverse reactions, thereby limiting its clinical utility (He et al., 2017). The specific mechanism and optimal dosage of TCM monomers for treating CIRI remain unclear. Additionally, The current research on TCM monomers in the treatment of CIRI lacks large-scale, multi-center clinical trials, making it challenging to determine the exact effective dose, optimal dose, safety profile (including potential side effects), and feasibility of these monomers.
4.2 Future research trends of traditional Chinese medicine monomers
Future studies should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials and comprehensive pharmacological investigations to further elucidate the specific mechanisms by which TCM monomers exert their effects in CIRI. These studies should aim to provide robust medical evidence that can guide the development of clinical treatments for patients with CIRI. Furthermore, it is crucial to explore more suitable drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles or hydrogels, to facilitate the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. This would enhance the retention time, bioavailability, and concentration of drugs at the site of injury, while reducing the frequency of administration, side effects, and toxicity. By doing so, the therapeutic efficacy can be improved, and better biosafety can be ensured in vivo (Li et al., 2014; Thakur et al., 2018).
5 Conclusion
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is an extremely destructive process in the brain with devastating effects on patients. The rapid emergence of various pathological processes makes functional recovery of damaged brain tissue challenging and often leads to severe functional deficits. The mechanisms underlying this extensive damage involve increased oxidative stress, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, inflammation, and programmed cell death. Consequently, effective treatment options for rebuilding severely damaged neurological function in CIRI patients are currently lacking. In order to address this challenge, research efforts are being directed towards tissue engineering, cell transplantation and molecule-target therapies are being applied to the field of CIRI. This review explicitly describes the molecular mechanism of TCM monomers during CIRI in recent years. The intervention of TCM monomers in CIRI is characterized by a multi-target approach, going beyond the previous emphasis solely on neuronal neuroprotection. The protective effect of TCM monomers on CIRI involves almost all cellular components of the nervous system, in the protection of neurovascular units, while taking into account supporting structures such as astrocytes, microglia and blood-brain barrier. Moreover, the influence of TCM monomers extends beyond the injury itself and encompasses post-stroke depression and anxiety. Furthermore, new mechanisms of action for TCM monomers have been discovered, expanding beyond the previously recognized pathways such as anti-inflammation via the NF-κB pathway and antioxidation through the Nrf pathway to include emerging pathways such as pyroptosis and ferroptosis. However, CIRI is a complex and multifactorial process, and despite the successful clinical application of certain TCM monomers such as butylphthalide and ligustrazine, many traditional Chinese medicine monomers remain in the preclinical trial stage. Before transitioning to clinical practice, it is crucial to address several unresolved issues. Comprehensive preclinical pharmacological and toxicological tests, as well as clinical trials, are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCM monomers. Furthermore, the potential for unpredictable side effects associated with certain Chinese medicine monomers necessitates careful consideration of their use.
In conclusion, taking a holistic approach, it is important to emphasize and extensively explore TCM monomers as a basis for anti-CIRI treatment. This approach has the potential to reduce the incidence and mortality of CIRI and prolong the survival of patients.
Author contributions
TZ and TJ wrote the manuscript. MW conceived and designed the review; TZ drafted the manuscript; ZH and HM assisted in the preparation of the charts. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
Funding
This work has been co-financed by the Gansu province Science and Technology project (Grant No. 20JR10RA722), Cuiying Scientific Training Program for Undergraduates of Lanzhou University Second Hospital (Grant No. CYXZ 2022-25 and CYXZ-2023-41), Key Talents Project of Gansu (Grant No. Gan Zu Tong Zi 2022-77-6), and Clinical Nursing Research Project (Grant No. CY2022-HL-B09).
Acknowledgments
We are grateful the support from Cuiying Scientific Training Program for Undergraduates of Lanzhou University Second Hospital.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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Keywords: cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI), traditional Chinese medicine monomers, inflammation, programmed cell death, protective mechanism
Citation: Zheng T, Jiang T, Huang Z, Ma H and Wang M (2023) Role of traditional Chinese medicine monomers in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:a review of the mechanism. Front. Pharmacol. 14:1220862. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1220862
Received: 11 May 2023; Accepted: 04 August 2023;
Published: 16 August 2023.
Edited by:
Hui Hui Zhao, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, ChinaReviewed by:
Shaojing Li, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, ChinaVincent Kam Wai Wong, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao SAR, China
Copyright © 2023 Zheng, Jiang, Huang, Ma and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Manxia Wang, wmx322@aliyun.com