Sancai Lianmei granules ameliorate neuron injury in diabetic ischemic stroke rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of Sancai Lianmei (SCLM) granules on diabetic ischemic stroke (IS) model rats, as well as oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced PC12 neurons and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglia, and to investigate the associated mechanisms. METHODS: Initially, a diabetic IS model was established in rats through the intraperitoneal administration of niacinamide (NAA) in conjunction with streptozotocin (STZ), supplemented by thread embolization. The model rats were subsequently observed behaviorally, pathologically, and molecularly. Ultimately, the specific mechanism underlying SCLM was elucidated and validated through in vitro experiments. RESULTS: SCLM improved neurological deficits and reduced infarct size in diabetic ischemic stroke models. Furthermore, SCLM modulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins by downregulating p53 and Bax while upregulating Bcl-2. Additionally, SCLM inhibited the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B (TLR4/NF-κB) signaling pathway. In vitro, the number of ROS-positive cells and the apoptosis rate were decreased in PC12 cells subjected to OGD and treated with SCLM containing serum, while the LPS-induced inflammatory response of BV2 cells was also alleviated. CONCLUSION: The use of SCLM granules is a therapeutic strategy for alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic ischemic stroke patients.