Chebulagic acid alleviates ischemic stroke brain injury through inhibition of microglial inflammatory activation

AimTo elucidate the effects of chebulagic acid on IS and explore its underlying mechanisms, given the critical role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS).MethodsAn oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in vitro and a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in vivo were employed in this research. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and propidium iodide (PI)staining assays were employed to assess the neuroprotective effects of chebulagic acid on OGD/R- injured BV2 cells. Immunofluorescence was applied to observe microglial activation. Neurological deficits and cerebral infarct volume were evaluated 24 h after reperfusion. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the involvement of inflammatory signaling pathways.ResultsChebulagic acid had neuroprotective effects on OGD/R-injured BV2 cells, suppressing inflammatory activation of BV2 cells and the expression of inflammatory factors. Chebulagic acid significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume, improved neurological functional recovery, and suppressed inflammatory activation of microglia in MCAO model mice.ConclusionChebulagic acid exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the inflammatory activation of microglia after IS.