Protective potential of hydroxysafflor yellow A in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury: An overview of evidence from experimental studies

Lu Yu; Zhe Jin; Mincheng Li; Huifang Liu; Jie Tao; Chuan Xu; Liwei Wang; Qiujuan Zhang

doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1063035

Protective potential of hydroxysafflor yellow A in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury: An overview of evidence from experimental studies

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Dec 15:13:1063035. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1063035. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Lu Yu¹, Zhe Jin², Mincheng Li¹, Huifang Liu³, Jie Tao¹, Chuan Xu⁴, Liwei Wang¹, Qiujuan Zhang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Comprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Department of Integration, Department of Neurology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital Baoshan Branch, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
³ Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jinshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Ischemic stroke, mostly caused by thromboembolic or thrombotic arterial occlusions, is a primary leading cause of death worldwide with high morbidity and disability. Unfortunately, no specific medicine is available for the treatment of cerebral I/R injury due to its limitation of therapeutic window. Hydroxysafflor yellow A, a natural product extracted from Carthamus tinctorius, has been extensively investigated on its pharmacological properties in cerebrovascular diseases. However, review focusing on the beneficial role of HSYA against cerebral I/R injury is still lacking. In this paper, we reviewed the neuroprotective effect of HSYA in preclinical studies and the underlying mechanisms involved, as well as clinical data that support the pharmacological activities. Additionally, the sources, physicochemical properties, biosynthesis, safety and limitations of HSYA were also reviewed. As a result, HSYA possesses a wide range of beneficial effects against cerebral I/R injury, and its action mechanisms include anti-excitotoxicity, anti-oxidant stress, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, attenuating BBB leakage and regulating autophagy. Collectively, HSYA might be applied as one of the promising alternatives in ischemic stroke treatment.

Keywords: cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; hydroxysafflor yellow A; natural bioactive compounds; neuroprotection; pathophysiological mechanism; review.

Publication types

Review