Catalpol Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury in Mice Through Regulating MicroRNA-142-Mediated HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021 · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.630222 · Published: February 8, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that leads to paralysis, disability and even death in severe cases. Inﬂammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in neurons are key pathogenic processes in SCI. Catalpol (CTP), an iridoid glycoside extracted from Rehmannia glutinosa, has many pharmacological activities, such as anti-inﬂammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. The ﬁndings suggest that CTP may protect the spinal cord from SCI by suppression of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inﬂammatory response via miR-142/ HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

Adult female C57BL/6 mice (10–12 weeks, 20–25 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
CTP treatment could improve the functional recovery, as well as suppress the apoptosis, alleviate inﬂammatory and oxidative response in SCI mice.
2
CTP was found to be up-regulated miR-142 and the protective effects of CTP on apoptosis, inﬂammatory and oxidative response may relate to its regulation of HMGB1/ TLR4/NF-κB pathway through miR-142.
3
CTP may protect the spinal cord from SCI by suppression of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inﬂammatory response via miR-142/ HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Research Summary

This study observed that CTP improved functional recovery, reduced the neuronal apoptosis, inhibited inﬂammation and oxidative stress in SCI mice. miR-142 was up-regulated by CTP, and inhibition of miR-142 reversed the protective effects of CTP on SCI mice. CTP improves SCI through miR-142/HMGB1/TLR/NF-κB pathway, suggesting that CTP could act a potential therapeutic agent in the SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Catalpol (CTP) shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment due to its ability to improve functional recovery and reduce neuronal apoptosis.

Targeted Treatment

The study identifies miR-142/HMGB1/TLR/NF-κB pathway as a key mechanism through which CTP exerts its protective effects, offering a targeted approach for SCI treatment.

Drug Development

CTP's role in ameliorating apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress suggests its potential as a lead compound for developing drugs aimed at mitigating secondary injury in SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to a mouse model, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The exact mechanisms and long-term effects of CTP treatment require further investigation.
3
The study focuses primarily on the miR-142/HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and other potential pathways may also be involved in CTP's protective effects.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury