Abstract

Background: Restoration of blood flow during ischemic stroke leads to Cerebral Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury (CIRI) by activating neuroinflammatory cascades. Pomelo Peel Volatile Oil (PPVO) extracted from Citrus maxima (Burm.) from the genus Rutaceae, comprises some antiinflammatory ingredients, such as limonene and β-myrcene.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of PPVO on alleviating CIRI related to the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B (TLR4/NF-κB) pathway.

Methods: Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/R) was performed on 65 rats, which were then distributed into five groups (n = 13/group) depending on the intervention they received: Normal Saline (NS) group, normal Glycerin (GL) group, low-dose PPVO (LP, 10mg/kg) group, high-dose PPVO (HP, 30 mg/kg) group, and Sham-operated (SH) group. Neurological Deficit Scores (NDSs) and histological changes were evaluated. Infarct volumes were measured by 2,3,5- Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride (TTC) staining. The expression of TLR4 and neutrophil infiltration were detected by Immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Moreover, the downstream molecules of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, p-IκB/IκB, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were analyzed by Western Blot (WB).

Results and Discussion: The results showed that PPVO (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased infarct volumes, improved neurological deficits and pathologic changes, inhibited TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway suppressed neutrophil infiltration, and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that PPVO may alleviate neuroinflammation and protect against CIRI via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Keywords: Stroke, inflammation, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, TLR4, NF-κB, pomelo peel volatile oil.

Graphical Abstract