Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant pathological process in ischemic stroke, marked by oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage once blood flow is restored. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates the neuroprotective effects of phellopterin, a natural coumarin derivative, in a rat model of cerebral I/R injury. METHODS: The I/R injury was induced using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method, subjecting rats to 120 minutes of ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Phellopterin was administered intragastrically at doses of 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg, based on prior studies indicating effective therapeutic ranges in preclinical models. Neurological deficit scores (NDS) assessed functional impairments. Molecular markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), alongside inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Gene expression analysis utilized quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate mRNA levels of key oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Our results indicated that phellopterin significantly reduced NDS in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular analyses demonstrated decreased MDA levels and increased SOD activity, reflecting reduced oxidative damage, alongside lowered TNF-α and IL-6 levels, indicating suppressed inflammation. The RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of antioxidant genes [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)] and downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes [nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), iNOS]. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, phellopterin exhibits dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. These findings underscore the potential of phellopterin as a promising candidate for the development of new treatments for ischemic stroke.