Neuroprotection by cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin beyond the time window of thrombolysis in ischemic stroke

Stem cell-based ischemic stroke therapy: Novel modifications and clinical challenges

Ischemic stroke (IS) causes severe disability and high mortality worldwide. Stem cell (SC) therapy exhibits unique therapeutic potential for IS that differs from current treatments. SC's cell homing, differentiation and paracrine abilities give hope for neuroprotection. Recent studies on SC modification have enhanced therapeutic effects for IS, including gene transfection, nanoparticle modification, biomaterial modification and pretreatment. These methods improve survival rate, homing, neural differentiation, and paracrine abilities in ischemic areas. However, many problems must be resolved before SC therapy can be clinically applied. These issues include production quality and quantity, stability during transportation and storage, as well as usage regulations. Herein, we reviewed the brief pathogenesis of IS, the "multi-mechanism" advantages of SCs for treating IS, various SC modification methods, and SC therapy challenges. We aim to uncover the potential and overcome the challenges of using SCs for treating IS and convey innovative ideas for modifying SCs.

Therapeutic Potential of Chinese Medicine for Endogenous Neurogenesis: A Promising Candidate for Stroke Treatment

Strokes are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults worldwide. Extensive preclinical studies have shown that neural-stem-cell-based treatments have great therapeutic potential for stroke. Several studies have confirmed that the effective components of traditional Chinese medicine can protect and maintain the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells through different targets and mechanisms. Therefore, the use of Chinese medicines to activate and promote endogenous nerve regeneration and repair is a potential treatment option for stroke patients. Here, we summarize the current knowledge regarding neural stem cell strategies for ischemic strokes and the potential effects of these Chinese medicines on neuronal regeneration.

Cattle Encephalon Glycoside and Ignotin Attenuates Aβ1-42-Mediated Neurotoxicity by Preventing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Modulating Microglial Polarization via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation-mediated microglial polarization and chronic neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The previous study has shown that cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin (CEGI) exerted an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibited inflammatory cytokines release by downregulating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in AD models. However, it is not clear whether CEGI can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulate the polarization of microglia in AD and whether its effects rely on TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. In the present study, we found that CEGI attenuated amyloid-β (Aβ)1-42-induced apoptosis, increased Aβ degrading enzymes (insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin), and promoted the clearance of Aβ1-42 in BV2 cells. CEGI also restrained the expression of NLRP3 and M1 microglial marker (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and elevated the expression of M2 microglial markers (arginase-1 and CD206). Meanwhile, knockdown of TLR4 with small interfering RNA proved that TLR4/NF-κB signaling was involved in the effects of CEGI. Furthermore, the roles of CEGI in inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, modulating microglia M1/M2 polarization, and increasing Aβ degrading enzyme expression were further validated in vivo using APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, CEGI promotes Aβ degradation and protects microglia against Aβ1-42-induced neurotoxicity by preventing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulating M1/M2 polarization via TLR4/NF-κB pathways.

Neural Function Recovery and Safety of Mild Hypothermia Therapy Combined with Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside on Neonatal Asphyxia Complicated by Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Objective

To explore the effect and safety of mild hypothermia therapy combined with monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) on neural function recovery of neonatal asphyxia complicated by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods

The clinical data of 90 neonates with HIE were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods, the neonates were divided into a routine group, a mild hypothermia group, and a combination group, with 30 cases in each group. The differences in neural function recovery, biochemical indexes, clinical signs recovery, efficacy, and complications were observed in the three groups after treatment.

Results

After treatment, the score of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) and level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the combination group were higher than those of the other two groups (P < 0.05). The levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein, and plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the combination group were lower than those in the other two groups, and the recovery time of consciousness, muscle tension, and reflex was shorter (P < 0.05). The combination group showed higher total effective rate and lower incidence of complications as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Mild hypothermia therapy combined with GM1 for the treatment of neonatal asphyxia complicated by HIE can promote the recovery of neural function and reduce the incidence of complications in neonates.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Monomers: Novel Strategy for Endogenous Neural Stem Cells Activation After Stroke

Stem cell therapy, which has become a potential regenerative medical treatment and a promising approach for treating brain injuries induced by different types of cerebrovascular disease, has various application methods. Activation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) can enable infarcted neuron replacement and promote neural networks’ regeneration without the technical and ethical issues associated with the transplantation of exogenous stem cells. Thus, NSC activation can be a feasible strategy to treat central nervous system (CNS) injury. The potential molecular mechanisms of drug therapy for the activation of endogenous NSCs have gradually been revealed by researchers. Traditional Chinese medicine monomers (TCMs) are active components extracted from Chinese herbs, and some of them have demonstrated the potential to activate proliferation and neurogenesis of NSCs in CNS diseases. Ginsenoside Rg1, astragaloside IV (AST), icariin (ICA), salvianolic acid B (Sal B), resveratrol (RES), curcumin, artesunate (ART), and ginkgolide B (GB) have positive effects on NSCs via different signaling pathways and molecules, such as the Wingless/integrated/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin) signaling pathway, the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). This article may provide further motivation for researchers to take advantage of TCMs in studies on CNS injury and stem cell therapy.