A comparative study of the neuroprotective effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide and edaravone dexborneol on cerebral ischemic stroke rats

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology 2023-07, Vol.951, p.175801-175801, Article 175801
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hui, Wang, Laifa, Zhu, Bi, Yang, Yongping, Cai, Chuanhai, Wang, Xueqin, Deng, Ling, He, Binsheng, Cui, Yanhui, Zhou, Wenhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DL-3-n-butylphthalide; Edaravone dexborneol; Inflammation; Ischemic stroke; Neuroprotectants; Stress oxidation
• ISSN: 0014-2999; 1879-0712
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175801

DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) and edaravone dexborneol (Eda-Dex) are two promising reagents for stroke treatment. However, the impacts of NBP and Eda-Dex on poststroke mental deficits are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare the influences of NBP and Eda-Dex on neurological function and cognitive behavior in rats with ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After peritoneal administration of the drugs, the rats were subjected to neurological deficit evaluation, cerebral blood flow (CBF) assays, cerebral infarct area evaluations or behavioral tests. Brain tissues were collected and further analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting or immunohistochemistry. NBP and Eda-Dex significantly decreased the neurological score, reduced the cerebral infarct area and improved CBF. Behavioral changes as assessed in the sucrose preference test, novel object recognition test, and social interaction test were significantly alleviated by NBP and Eda-Dex in rats with ischemic stroke. Moreover, NBP and Eda-Dex significantly suppressed inflammation by targeting the nuclear factor kappa-B/inducible nitric oxide synthase (NF-κB/iNOS) pathway and significantly inhibited oxidative stress by targeting the kelch-1ike ECH-associated protein l/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway. In addition, NBP and Eda-Dex distinctly suppressed the activation of microglia and astrocytes and improved neuronal viability in the ischemic brain. NBP and Eda-Dex improved neurological function and alleviated cognitive disorders in rats with ischemic stroke by synergistically inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress. •Neuroprotective Effects of DL-3-N-Butylphthalide and Edaravone Dexborneol in Cerebral Ischemic Stroke Rats were analyzed.•Both NBP and Edaravone Dexborneol could improve neurological function in ischemic stroke rats.•NBP was more potent than Edaravone Dexborneol in alleviating cerebral infarction and oxidative stress, and improving CBF.