Astragalus Flavone Induces Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in a Cerebral Infarction Model

Abstract

Background Ischemic cerebrovascular disease leads to the activation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into mature neurons and glia cells to repair nerve damage. Astragalus flavone (ASF) has shown its potential role in proliferation and differentiation into dopamine neurons of NSCs. Material/Methods Cerebral infarction models were constructed to determine the effects of ASF on NSCs in vivo and in vitro. Results ASF therapy had the ability to reduce the neurologic function scores and the cerebral infarction volume of the cerebral infarction model. Moreover, ASF was able to increase BrdU-positive cells and promote the expression of Nestin, β-Tubulin III, and O4, while decreasing the expression of GFAP. qRT-PCR and western blot assays showed ASF promoted the expression of Mash1, Math1, and Ngn2 mRNA and protein in cerebral infarction rats. Meanwhile, ASF (20 μg/ml) was able to increase EdU-positive cells and promote the expression of Nestin, β-Tubulin III, and O4 of NSCs at day14 in vitro. In normoxia, ASF obviously promoted the expression of Mash1, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA and proteins, but in hypoxia, ASF promoted the expression of Notch1 and Math1 mRNA and proteins and inhibited the expression of Ngn1 and Ngn2 mRNA and proteins. Conclusions ASF therapy can improve the neurologic functions and reduce the cerebral infarction volume in a cerebral infarction model. Moreover, ASF promoted the proliferation of NSCs and induced differentiation into neurons and oligodendrocytes, which might be involved in regulating factors in Notch signaling.

Effect of 2-Week Naringin Supplementation on Neurogenesis and BDNF Levels in Ischemia–Reperfusion Model of Rats

“…ASF, a flavonoid, was administered to rats exposed to focal cerebral ischemia at doses of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg for 7 and 14 days. ASF treatment improved neurological functions and increased the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells after cerebral ischemia (Gao et al, 2022b ). In Medline searches, only one study was found determining the effect of naringin treatment on neurogenesis (Yang et al, 2018 ).…”

Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Fabaceae): Bioactive Compounds and Potential Therapeutic Mechanisms Against Alzheimer’s Disease

“…So far, studies have shown that the these flavonoids have similar effects to calycosin, quercetin. In addition, they are known to promote neurogenesis after ischemic stroke ( Gao and Li, 2018 ), but which of them is playing this role is unclear. Therefore, their therapeutic effects are not elucidated here in detail.…”

Gut brain interaction theory reveals gut microbiota mediated neurogenesis and traditional Chinese medicine research strategies

“…Similarly, Astragalus and its active components affect neurogenesis through MGB axis immune pathways, which may be related to microglia activation ( Li et al., 2020 ), but the specific mechanism needs to be further confirmed. In vitro , Astragaloside VI promotes the differentiation of primary NSCs into neurons and astrocytes, similarly to Astragalus flavor, which up-regulated Notch1 , Jagged1 , Mash1 , Ngn1 , and Ngn2 expression in NSCs ( Gao et al., 2022 ). Epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main component of Camellia sinensis (green tea), increases the abundance of Bacteroides uniformis , Bacteroides vulgatus , Bacteroides stercoris , Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron , and Bacteroides cellulosilyticus in human gut microbiota ( Liu Z. et al., 2020 ).…”