Forsythiaside-A Alleviates Traumatic Brain Injury by Regulating Toll-Like Receptor 4/Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury refers to brain injury caused by mechanical impact often leading to severe morbidity and mortality. Despite increasing awareness, there are no effective treatments strategies. Therefore, there is a need to develop new effective treatments for this injury. Forsythiaside A is a monomer of phenylethanolglucoside extracted from Forsythia, which has a wide range of pharmacological properties including protective effects on brain tissue. Herein, using a rat model of traumatic brain injury, we have shown that forsythiaside A can improve nerve function and brain tissue injury in rats with traumatic brain injury, and reduce brain inflammation and neuronal apoptosis. We have further shown that forsythiaside A regulates toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. This opens the possibility of a potentially promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.