Neuroprotective effect of asiatic acid against spinal cord injury in rats

AimsThe present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of asiatic acid (AA) on spinal cord injury (SCI) as well as the underlying mechanisms.Main methodsSprague-Dawley rats (n = 150) were randomly assigned to five groups: sham, SCI, SCI + methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), SCI + AA (30 mg/kg), and SCI + AA (75 mg/kg). Motor function, histological changes, neutrophil infiltration, proinflammatory cytokine production, and oxidative stress as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)2, heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein (NLRP)3 levels were evaluated.Key findingsAA treatment increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores and inclined plane test scores that were reduced by SCI. In addition, AA suppressed myeloperoxidase activity and reduced the levels of interleukin-1β, -18, and -6 and tumor necrosis factor-α as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2, and malondialdehyde levels while increasing superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione production. AA treatment results in the upregulation in Nrf2/HO-1 levels and downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome protein expression in SC tissue.SignificanceAA protects against SCI via suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress. The underlying mechanism likely involves activation of Nrf2 and HO-1 and inhibition of ROS and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. AA has therapeutic potential for SCI treatment.