Edaravone dexborneol provides neuroprotective benefits by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome-induced microglial pyroptosis in experimental ischemic stroke

Edaravone dexborneol (EDB) is a traditional prescription that consists of two components, edaravone and (+)-borneol, which have synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models of ischemic stroke. Pyroptosis is a form of cell death that has only recently been discovered. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of EDB in acute ischemic stroke. We used an in vivo mouse transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model along with an in vitro BV2 cell oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model to perform specific experiments. The executive protein of pyroptosis, gasdermin D (GSDMD), was increased after tMCAO. The administration of EDB dramatically reduced sensorimotor deficits and infarct sizes in mice with tMCAO. In addition, EDB inhibited the production of the NLRP3-inflammasome and the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. This effect inhibited both the in vitro and in vivo expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β and IL-18. Collectively, our data indicate that EDB exerted positive effects after ischemic stroke. EDB inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome-induced microglial pyroptosis in experimental ischemic stroke. The findings of this research indicate that the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for EDB to promote functional recovery after stroke.