Regulatory mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine on central nervous system diseases: A review

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases can lead to motor, sensory, speech, cognitive dysfunction, and sometimes even death. These diseases are recognized to cause a substantial socio-economic impact on a global scale. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the main active ingredients extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Ligusticum striatum DC. (Chuan Xiong). Many in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that TMP has a certain role in the treatment of CNS diseases through inhibiting calcium ion overload and glutamate excitotoxicity, anti-oxidative/nitrification stress, mitigating inflammatory response, anti-apoptosis, protecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitating synaptic plasticity. In this review, we summarize the roles and mechanisms of action of TMP on ischemic cerebrovascular disease, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairments, migraine, and depression. Our review will provide new insights into the clinical applications of TMP and the development of novel therapeutics.

Metal-organic framework materials promote neural differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in spinal cord injury

“…Secondary injury of SCI is often a more important cause of neuron loss. Glutamate excitatory toxicity is a common mechanism of neuronal tissue death at this stage [ 50 ]. Reduced extracellular Zn 2+ concentration induced by trauma can lead to dysregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which leads to glutamate excitotoxicity of astrocytes and promotes apoptosis of oligodendrocytes[ 51 ].…”

Tetramethylpyrazine-loaded electroconductive hydrogels promote tissue repair after spinal cord injury by protecting the blood–spinal cord barrier and neurons

“…Nevertheless, no rescue experiments were conducted in this study. Thus, drawing upon the extant literature, 12,50 we postulated that the GMPT hydrogel may modulate endothelial cell apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT axis, thereby preserving the integrity of the barrier. In addition, the destruction of the BSCB is not solely attributable to apoptosis in endothelial cells, but also to the loss of tight junction proteins, which are present between endothelial cells to maintain intercellular spaces and regulate cellular polarity.…”

“…Notably, TMP has significant vascular protective effects. 12 The latest meta-analysis indicated that injecting TMP as an adjunctive treatment seemed effective in enhancing the efficacy of acute cerebral infarction and improvement in neurological deficit scores of patients. 13 Meanwhile, diverse pharmacological activities of TMP in protecting barrier integrity have also been validated.…”

The protective effects of ligustrazine on ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms

“…Ligustrazine also reduces the concentration of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) while upregulating the activity of superoxide to relieve oxidative stress. Furthermore, it intervenes in the course of ischemia-reperfusion by reducing Ca2 + overload and trough amino acid excitotoxicity, as well as improving synaptic ultrastructure to enhance synaptic plasticity ( Liu et al, 2022 ).…”