Skimmianine Showed Neuroprotection against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

• Published in: Current Issues in Molecular Biology Vol. 46; no. 7; pp. 7373 - 7385
• Main Authors: Ayaz, Hayat, Aşır, Fırat, Korak, Tuğcan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Analysis; Antioxidants; bioactive compounds; Enzymes; Estrogen; Ischemia; molecular science; natural products; Neurons; phytochemistry; natural products; bioactive compounds; molecular science; phytochemistry
• ISSN: 1467-3045; 1467-3037; 1467-3045
• DOI: 10.3390/cimb46070437

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of skimmianine on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Twenty-four female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham, Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR), and IR + Skimmianine (40 mg/kg Skimmianine). Cerebral ischemia was induced using a monofilament nylon suture to occlude the middle cerebral artery for 60 min. Following 23 h of reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed 14 days later. The effects of skimmianine on brain tissue post-IR injury were examined through biochemical and immunochemical analyses. In silico analysis using the Enrichr platform explored skimmianine's potential biological processes involving IBA-1, IL-6, and NF-κB proteins. In the IR group, MDA levels increased, while SOD and CAT antioxidant enzyme activities decreased. In the IR + Skimmianine group, skimmianine treatment resulted in decreased MDA levels and increased SOD and CAT activities. Significant increases in IBA-1 expression were observed in the IR group, which skimmianine treatment significantly reduced, modulating microglial activation. High levels of IL-6 expression were noted in pyramidal neurons, vascular structures, and neuroglial cells in the IR group; skimmianine treatment reduced IL-6 expression, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects. Increased NF-κB expression was observed in neurons and blood vessels in the gray and white matter in the IR group; skimmianine treatment reduced NF-κB expression. Gene Ontology results suggest skimmianine impacts immune and inflammatory responses via IBA-1 and IL-6, with potential effects on estrogen mechanisms mediated by NF-κB. Skimmianine may be a potential therapeutic strategy due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on cerebral IR injury.