Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates neurobehavioral deficits in mice with ischemic cerebral injury
Objective: To investigate the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on neurobehavioral impairments in mice with ischemic stroke and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established using the filament occlusion method to evaluate the therapeutic effects of LBP on pathological brain tissue damage after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). Mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham surgery (Sham), I/R, and I/R + LBP. Behavioral tests, including the Y-maze test, rotarod test, and balance beam test, were systematically conducted to assess the impact of LBP on neurobehavioral impairments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify peripheral blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), reflecting inflammatory status. Results: LBP significantly ameliorated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in mice with cerebral I/R injury, demonstrating marked protection against I/R-induced neurofunctional damage. LBP notably improved motor and memory deficits caused by ischemic stroke. Compared to the I/R group, LBP improved neuroinflammation and oxidative stress levels post-I/R injury. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that LBP alleviates ischemic stroke-induced neurological damage by attenuating inflammatory responses.