Li Ping-Ping, Wang Wen-Wen, Wang Jing-Tao, Xu Zi-Ao, Ji Xue-Fei, Guan Liao, Ye Lei, Cheng Hong-Wei
Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Jixi Road 218, 230022, Hefei, People's Republic of China.
School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road 81, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China.
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2025 Sep 2. doi: 10.1007/s00210-025-04498-w.
Saikosaponin A (SSa), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, possesses multiple pharmacological properties, including anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which SSa exerts therapeutic effects in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), with a particular focus on the involvement of ferroptosis pathways. In a kainic acid-induced TLE mouse model, electroencephalography (EEG) was used to monitor seizure frequency. Behavioral tests were employed to evaluate cognitive, learning, and memory functions. Additionally, molecular biology techniques were used to investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of SSa. EEG recordings showed that SSa treatment significantly reduced seizure frequency and severity. Behavioral assessments indicated improvements in cognition, learning, and memory. Histological analysis revealed decreased neuronal death in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy and Golgi-Cox staining demonstrated a marked increase in hippocampal neuron density following SSa treatment. At the cellular level, SSa significantly downregulated the expression of IL-17, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in Erastin-induced ferroptotic hippocampal neurons. Notably, the inhibitory effect of SSa on ferroptosis was reversed by IL-17 agonist treatment, suggesting that IL-17 plays a pivotal role in this pathway. In conclusion, SSa alleviates seizures and improves cognitive function in TLE by inhibiting IL-17/Akt/ERK-mediated ferroptosis in hippocampal neurons.
柴胡皂苷A(SSa)是从黄芪中分离出的一种三萜皂苷,具有多种药理特性,包括抗惊厥、抗癫痫和抗炎活性。本研究旨在阐明SSa在颞叶癫痫(TLE)中发挥治疗作用的分子机制,特别关注铁死亡途径的参与情况。在 kainic 酸诱导的 TLE 小鼠模型中,采用脑电图(EEG)监测癫痫发作频率。运用行为学测试评估认知、学习和记忆功能。此外,利用分子生物学技术研究 SSa 的神经保护机制。EEG 记录显示,SSa 治疗显著降低了癫痫发作频率和严重程度。行为学评估表明认知、学习和记忆有所改善。组织学分析显示海马区神经元死亡减少。透射电子显微镜和高尔基-考克斯染色表明,SSa 治疗后海马神经元密度显著增加。在细胞水平上,SSa 显著下调了 Erastin 诱导的铁死亡海马神经元中 IL-17、磷酸化 Akt(p-Akt)和磷酸化 ERK(p-ERK)的表达。值得注意的是,IL-17 激动剂处理可逆转 SSa 对铁死亡的抑制作用,表明 IL-17 在该途径中起关键作用。总之,SSa 通过抑制海马神经元中 IL-17/Akt/ERK 介导的铁死亡来减轻 TLE 中的癫痫发作并改善认知功能。
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