Abstract
Artesunate (AS) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) have been proven to have therapeutic potential in ischemic stroke. Nevertheless, their synergistic treatment mechanisms and effectiveness remain unclear. A rat MCAO model was induced, and AS, combined with TMP, was administered intranasally to rats once a day for 3 days. The neurological severity scores, TTC staining, and H&E staining were implemented to analyze tissue injuries. Evans blue staining and immunohistochemistry of ZO-1, occludin, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 were implemented to evaluate the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-10. TUNEL staining and the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 were used to evaluate the apoptosis of brain tissue cells. The core targets were predicted by network pharmacology and verified by the OGD/R cell model and siRNA in vitro. Results showed that nasal administration of AS and TMP significantly ameliorated ischemic-stroke-induced neurological dysfunction, BBB disruption, and cortical neuronal apoptosis. The protective mechanisms mainly included adjusting the expression and ratio of tight junction proteins TIMP-1 and MMP-9 in brain tissue, regulating the HIF-1α-VEGF pathway, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study provides experimental support for the further development and application of AS and TMP nasal combinations and provides the foundation for expanding the practical-application value of artemisinin and its derivatives.