Targeting Neurogenesis: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Post-Stroke Treatment with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Recent progress suggests that neural stem/progenitor cells can potentially develop into new functional neurons in adult brain, offering hope for regeneration therapies for stroke treatment. Targeting adult neurogenesis becomes a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for brain repair and recovery of neurological functions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history with accumulated experiences and case reports using herbal formulas to treat stroke disability. The combination of Chinese herbal medicine and stem cell biology approaches provides great potential for post-stroke rehabilitations. In the last decade, large efforts have been made to investigate the molecular targets for the regulation of adult neurogenesis and to explore the active compounds and molecular targets of herbal medicine for regeneration therapy. Herein, we reviewed the current progress concerning the molecular targets and cellular signaling pathways involved in adult neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia. We then briefly introduced Chinese medical theory and herbs for stroke treatment in TCM. Finally, we reviewed the current knowledge about the effects of Chinese herbal formulas, active fractions and active compounds on promoting adult neurogenesis as well as their molecular targets. Although the precise mechanisms and molecular targets of herbal medicine for neurogenesis are still unclear, current progress at least provides a cue for exploring the therapeutic principles of Chinese herbal medicine and developing new drugs for brain repair after stroke.

Nao-Xue-Shu Oral Liquid Protects and Improves Secondary Brain Insults of Hypertensive Cerebral Hemorrhage

“…Chinese medicine has the distinctive function of modulating the body or dealing with diseases, including treating brain problems [ 31 , 32 ]. We are still unable to show how the ingredients pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but they have been used in many countries for treating many diseases [ 14 ].…”

The Pathophysiological Mechanism and Treatment of Secondary Brain Insult of Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

“…Recently, a study found that Nao-Xue-Shu oral liquid has a markedly lower incidence of SBI, inhibits the accumulation of hematoma, improves the absorbance of hemorrhage, eliminates the toxic stimulation of peripheral brain tissue, and inhibits the accumulation of inflammatory factors [28]. Chinese medicine has the distinctive function of modulating the body or dealing with diseases, including the treatment of brain problems [29,30]. We are still unable to show how the ingredients pass through the blood-brain barrier, but they have been used in many countries for treating many diseases [31].…”

Nao-Xue-Shu Oral Liquid Improves Aphasia of Mixed Stroke

“…In TCM theory, each Chinese medicine has its own function to modulate the body or deal with diseases, including treating brain problems, but doctors in China are still unable to demonstrate how the medicine passes through the blood brain barrier (BBB). Including TCM herbs [ 26 , 27 ], many integrative medicines such as Ayurveda medicine [ 28 ], electric stimulation [ 29 ], and Tai Chi quan [ 30 ] cannot confirm that they influence the nerve system directly by Western medical technology, but they have been used in many countries for treating many diseases [ 5 ]. Nao-Xue-Shu oral liquid contains a type of worm and this is another problem since, according to ethics, it is difficult to introduce such a treatment into foreign countries, although worms are frequently used in TCM treatments and TCM researchers in China have demonstrated they are harmless and safe.…”