Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Angong Niuhuang Wan for Attenuating Oxidative Stress in Rat Models of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

doi:10.19803/j.1672-8629.20250745

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism through which Angong Niuhuang Wan mitigates oxidative stress in rats with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Methods Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to analyze the interactions between key active components of Angong Niuhuang Wan and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the nerve growth factor (NGF). Rat models of cerebral ischemia and cerebral hemorrhage were established before the animals were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, low-dose Angong Niuhuang Wan (257 mg·kg^-1), and high-dose Angong Niuhuang Wan (514 mg·kg^-1) groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in brain tissues were measured using biochemical assays. Protein expression levels of BDNF and NGF were detected by Western blot. Results Molecular docking results showed that the core components of Angong Niuhuang Wan-berberine and baicalin-had good binding activity with BDNF and NGF, respectively, with binding energies below -5.0 kcal·mol^-1. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable binding activity between berberine and BDNF, and between baicalin and NGF. Animal experiments suggested that in the low-dose Angong Niuhuang Wan groups, MDA levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05) GSH-Px contents increased (P<0.05) while protein expressions of BDNF and NGF were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05) in brain tissues of rats compared with the model group. Conclusion Angong Niuhuang Wan may exert neuroprotective effects in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke models by reducing oxidative stress and upregulating the BDNF/NGF pathway.

Key words: Angong Niuhuang Wan, Ischemic Stroke, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor, Antioxidant, Molecular Docking, Rat

CLC Number:

LI Xueli, TANG Tian, BAI Xue. Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Angong Niuhuang Wan for Attenuating Oxidative Stress in Rat Models of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2025, 22(12): 1345-1351.

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