Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment through sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway.
10.1016/S1875-5364(25)60808-9
- Author:
Wenqin YANG
1
;
Wen WEN
1
;
Hao CHEN
1
;
Haijun ZHANG
1
;
Yun LU
2
,
3
;
Ping WANG
4
;
Shijun XU
5
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Institute of Material Medica Integration and Transformation for Brain Disorders, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
2. Emergency Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China. Electronic address: luyun999@
3. com.
4. State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Institute of Material Medica Integration and Transformation for Brain Disorders, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China. Electronic address: wangping@cdutcm.edu.cn.
5. State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Institute of Material Medica Integration and Transformation for Brain Disorders, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China. Electronic address: xushijun@cdutcm.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Apoptosis;
Mitochondrial function;
Oxidative stress;
Post-stroke cognitive impairment;
Sirtuin1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 pathway;
Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid
- MeSH:
Sirtuin 1/genetics*;
Animals;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*;
Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics*;
Male;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Rats;
Humans;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*;
Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*;
Stroke/complications*;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*;
Apoptosis/drug effects*;
Mitochondria/metabolism*;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*;
Neuroprotective Agents
- From:
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.)
2025;23(1):77-89
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The activation of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway has been shown to mitigate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid (ZFXN) ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly whether it involves protecting mitochondria and inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, remains unclear. This study employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model using SH-SY5Y cells and induced PSCI in rats through modified bilateral carotid artery ligation (2VO). The effects of ZFXN on learning and memory, neuroprotective activity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Results indicated that ZFXN significantly increased the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2-associated X (Bax) ratio, reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)+ cells, and markedly improved cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, ZFXN exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by decreased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. ZFXN also demonstrated considerable enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Tom20 fluorescence intensity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) levels, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial damage. Additionally, ZFXN significantly increased SIRT1 activity and elevated SIRT1, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1 levels. Notably, these effects were substantially counteracted when SIRT1 was suppressed by the inhibitor EX-527 in vitro. In conclusion, ZFXN alleviates PSCI by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and preventing mitochondrial damage.
