Suppressing neuroinflammation by Shenfu injection against ischemic stroke in mice via inhibiting RAGE-PI3K-Akt pathway.

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke presents a major clinical challenge, often resulting in significant mortality and long-term disability. Shenfu injection (SF), a traditional Chinese herbal formulation, has demonstrated protective effects against ischemic stroke. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of SF in a middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse model and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action.

METHODS

Ischemic stroke was induced in mice using MCAO/R model. SF was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 5 and 20 ml/kg, either as a combination of pretreatment and post-treatment or as post-treatment alone. To explore the potential mechanisms, network pharmacology combined with transcriptome sequencing was employed to identify key pathways modulated by SF. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were conducted to validate the functional signaling pathways involved in SF's neuroprotective effects.

RESULTS

SF administration significantly reduced brain infarct volume, improved functional outcomes, and prevented neuronal cell death in MCAO/R mice. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that SF suppressed microglial activation in the ischemic brain, implying decreased neuroinflammatory activity. Transcriptome sequencing and western blot results further demonstrated that SF downregulated the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), activated the PI3K/Akt pathway, and inhibited NF-κB activation following cerebral ischemia. Moreover, administration of the RAGE agonist D-Ribose partially reversed the neuroprotective effects of SF, highlighting the pivotal role of RAGE inhibition in mediating SF's therapeutic efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that SF's neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain injury are chiefly facilitated by inhibiting the RAGE-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling pathway.