Cerebroprotective Role of Stigmasterol Against the Progression of Experimentally Induced Intracranial Aneurysms in Rats

Haijun Mei and Xiaoqiang Li

Background and Objective: Cerebral ischemia is a medical condition caused by myocardial infarction, a coronary artery bypass graft or reversible acute hypotension that can cause serious damage or death. Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are compromised brain artery walls that can rupture and cause cerebral haemorrhage. Stigmasterol is an important plant sterol and has good therapeutic properties. The present research reveals that stigmasterol has cerebroprotective properties against the growth of artificially produced intracranial aneurysms in rats. Materials and Methods: In this investigation, the intracranial cerebral aneurysm was stimulated using CaCl₂ in the Wister male albino rat model. After stimulating the aneurysm, smooth muscle cells were separated and treated with 30 μM stigmasterol for 48 hrs. Results: In comparison to the controls, the IA mice given stigmasterol performed better neurologically. Furthermore, stigmasterol therapy enhanced the biomarkers TNF-α, CCR8, IL1B, MT2A, and PIM3, which were all upregulated in IA-induced rats. Cells from animals pre-exposed to stigmasterol also exhibited oxidative stress resistance, as indicated by high mitochondrial membrane prospects and low ROS levels. Additionally, stigmasterol treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-13, IL-4 and IL-1. Conclusion: The current study’s outcomes indicated that stigmasterol has a potential efficacy in enhancing acute brain function in IA and it might be a lead molecule for IA-related therapeutics.

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