Quercetin promotes behavioral recovery and biomolecular changes of melanocortin-4 receptor in mice with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objectives Ischemic stroke is known as a common causes of disability, lower psychological well-being as well as preventable death. The pathogenesis of ischemic stroke process becomes worse immediately after oxidative stress occurs. One of the flavonoids with antioxidant abilities is quercetin. This study was aimed to investigate quercetin administration on the behavioral functions (motor and sensory) and expression of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in mice with ischemic stroke. Methods Male ICR mice were divided into sham, stroke, stroke with quercetin 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg. The stroke model was performed by blocking the left common carotid artery for 2 h. Quercetin was intraperitoneally administered daily for seven days. Evaluation was conducted during two weeks after induction using ladder rung walking test and narrow beam test for motoric function and adhesive removal tape test for sensory function. On day-14 mice were sacrificed, MC4R expression in the dorsal striatum was determined using RT-PCR. Results Stroke decreased the motor, sensory function and MC4R mRNA expression in dorsal striatum. Quercetin improved motor and sensory function, and upregulated expression of MC4R. Conclusions Quercetin administration after ischemic stroke improves behavioral function, possibly through the upregulation of MC4R in the brain.

Study on the Mechanism of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology

“…The pathogenesis of ischemic stroke mainly includes oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and so on. One of the flavonoids with antioxidant capacity is quercetin, which can promote the behavioral recovery and biomolecular changes of melanocortin 4 receptors in ischemic stroke mice [11] . The pharmacological effects of saffron are attributed to the presence of crocin and saffron aldehyde.…”

Network Pharmacology-based Analysis of the Effects of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction on Ischemic Stroke*

“…Ye et al (2021) showed that quercetin reduced neuropathic pain in chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats by mediating the AMPK/MAPK pathway. Ulya et al (2021) found that quercetin promotes behavioral recovery in mice with IS, which may be related to the regulation of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Zhou et al (2020) found that kaempferol could reduce the inflammatory injury of PC12 cells induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (OGD-reoxygenation) by regulating the SIRT1/P66shc signaling pathway, indicating that kaempferol may be an effective intervention option for IS.…”

Quercetin Exerts a Protective Effect on Ischemic Stroke-induced Memory Deficits in Mice

“…Five mice per group were counted based on the previous study in producing mouse stroke models and by using the calculation for value “E”. 12, 21 The sample size was increased to eight mice per group to anticipate the number of animals suffering from death after stroke induction. 22 Forty mice were divided into five groups: sham group (mice were operated without arterial blockade), stroke group, and stroke groups treated with quercetin at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg, respectively.…”

“…Furthermore, increasing MC4R mRNA expression has been associated with improved neuronal recovery. 11, 12 Stroke causes oxidative stress, which leads to apoptosis. The nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2)-associated erythroid 2 pathway plays a critical role in decreasing the effects of oxidative stress.…”