Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates neurobehavioral deficits in mice with ischemic cerebral injury

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on neurobehavioral impairments in mice with ischemic stroke and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsA middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established using the filament occlusion method to evaluate the therapeutic effects of LBP on pathological brain tissue damage after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). Mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham surgery (Sham), I/R, and I/R + LBP. Behavioral tests, including the Y-maze test, rotarod test, and balance beam test, were systematically conducted to assess the impact of LBP on neurobehavioral impairments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify peripheral blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), reflecting inflammatory status. ResultsLBP significantly ameliorated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in mice with cerebral I/R injury, demonstrating marked protection against I/R-induced neurofunctional damage. LBP notably improved motor and memory deficits caused by ischemic stroke. Compared to the I/R group, LBP improved neuroinflammation and oxidative stress levels post-I/R injury. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that LBP alleviates ischemic stroke-induced neurological damage by attenuating inflammatory responses.