Andrographolide ameliorates intracerebral hemorrhage induced secondary brain injury by inhibiting neuroinflammation induction

Microglia activation and neuroinflammation play important roles in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury (SBI). In this study, we attempted to investigate the potential effects of Andrographolide (Andro) on ICH-induced SBI and the possible mechanisms behind these effects. Andro treatment effectively reduced neuronal cell death and degeneration and alleviated neurobehavioral disorders and brain edema in vivo. In an in vitro study, microglia activation-induced neuronal cell death was ameliorated by Andro treatment. In addition, microglia activation and neuroinflammation were induced by ICH, exhibiting elevated cytokine levels, which could be reversed with Andro treatment. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased after treatment with Andro, both in vivo and in vitro, due to the inhibition of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway activation. Meanwhile, Andro decreased the levels of IL-1β and LDH, as well as microglia pyroptosis induced by ICH by suppressing the assembly of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In summary, this study reveals an anti-inflammatory effect of Andro and its potential mechanisms, and it shows that Andro is a potential candidate for improving ICH-induced SBI.