Effects of nourishing qi, activating blood circulation, and inducing resuscitation on nerve cell pyroptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) is a serious complication often associated with cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of nourishing qi, activating blood circulation, and inducing resuscitation (Borneol with astragaloside IV and Panax notoginseng total saponins, BAP) on CIR. Neurological function score system was used to determine the neurological function. The survival of nerve cells was detected by Nissl staining. The levels of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. The expression of GSDMD, GSDMD-N, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins in hippocampus tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blot, RT-qPCR, or immunofluorescence (IF) were used to detect the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), pro-Caspase-1, Caspase-1, Nrf2, and HO-1 expression. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was analyzed by LDH release assay. Cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8). Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. BAP significantly promoted the recovery of nerve function, the activity of nerve cells, and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, IL-4, and IL-10 in rat hippocampus tissues after CIR. BAP has an obvious inhibitory effect on the expression of NLRP3, pro-Caspase-1, and Caspase-1 proteins, the release of IL-1β and IL-18 factors, and neuronal pyroptosis in hippocampal tissues. BAP also promoted IL-4 and IL-10 levels, and the activity of SH-SY5Y cells. The IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, pro-Caspase-1, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N expressions were significantly inhibited by BAP in vitro, which was reversed by Nrf2 knockdown. This study confirmed that BAP alleviated rat CIR and inhibited the pyroptosis of SH-SY5Y cells by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. This study provided new directions and ideas for the treatment of CIR.