Buyang Huanwu Decoction inhibits neuronal ferroptosis induced by ischemic stroke in rats

Authors

  • Bin Lan School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219,China
  • Sitian Luo School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219,China
  • Shiyu Lin School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219,China
  • Haigang Li School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219,China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66238/fsrma119

Keywords:

Ischemic stroke, Ferroptosis, Iron metabolism, TFR1/DMT1, Buyang Huanwu Decoction

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the ferroptosis signaling pathway in ischemic cerebral neurons and evaluate the intervention effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD).

Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, ischemic stroke (IS), IS+DFP (deferiprone), and IS+BYHWD group. After a 5-day acclimatization period, drug administration commenced. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established via the intraluminal suture method. Neurological deficits were assessed using the Longa score at 2 h post-operation. Protein expression levels of TFR1 and DMT1 were semi-quantitatively detected by Western blot. Ferroptosis-related indicators in the ischemic brain were evaluated: brain iron deposition, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured using assay kits, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by luminol-based chemiluminescence.

Results: Compared with the sham group, the IS group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores (P< 0.01) and up-regulated TFR1 and DMT1 protein expression (P< 0.01). Brain iron deposition, MDA, and ROS levels were elevated, while GSH content was decreased (P< 0.05). Compared with the IS group, the IS+BYHWD group showed significantly alleviated neurological deficits (P< 0.01), down-regulated TFR1 and DMT1 expression (P< 0.01), reduced brain iron deposition, MDA, and ROS levels, and increased GSH content (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: BYHWD confers an anti-ferroptotic effect on acute cerebral ischemic neurons via regulation of the TFR1/DMT1 signaling pathway, resulting in decreased iron deposition, lipid peroxidation, and ROS accumulation in the ischemic brain, and ultimately improving neurological outcomes in IS rats.

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Published

2026-08-01