Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke

Given that ischemic stroke ranks as one of the most fatal diseases globally, it is imperative to develop clinically effective neuroprotective agents for stroke. Microglia serve as innate immune cells for maintaining brain homeostasis, and upon activation, they are well-known to be able to transform...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lu Yu, Yin Dong, Mincheng Li, Huifang Liu, Cuina Yan, Xiaoxian Li, Yuehua Gu, Liwei Wang, Chuan Xu, Jie Xu, Zhen Yuan, Ming Xia, Jiwei Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1580479/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850215517166501888
author Lu Yu
Yin Dong
Mincheng Li
Huifang Liu
Cuina Yan
Xiaoxian Li
Yuehua Gu
Liwei Wang
Chuan Xu
Jie Xu
Zhen Yuan
Ming Xia
Jiwei Cheng
author_facet Lu Yu
Yin Dong
Mincheng Li
Huifang Liu
Cuina Yan
Xiaoxian Li
Yuehua Gu
Liwei Wang
Chuan Xu
Jie Xu
Zhen Yuan
Ming Xia
Jiwei Cheng
author_sort Lu Yu
collection DOAJ
description Given that ischemic stroke ranks as one of the most fatal diseases globally, it is imperative to develop clinically effective neuroprotective agents for stroke. Microglia serve as innate immune cells for maintaining brain homeostasis, and upon activation, they are well-known to be able to transform into two functional phenotypes, namely, the M1 and M2 types, which can convert each other and exert opposing effects on neurotoxicity and neuroprotection, respectively. Traditional Chinese medicine possesses a deep-rooted and profound history with rich theory in treating cerebrovascular disorders, and its natural compounds have been considered as promising adjunctive therapies. Recently, researchers have been devoting attention to the inflammation-suppressive properties of the compounds from Chinese herbs. These compounds are gradually emerging as adoptable therapeutic agents with wide application prospect for improving stroke outcomes, through regulating microglial polarization to attenuate neuroinflammation. Thereby, we reviewed the functions of microglial cells in inflammation and neuroprotection and explored the regulation of microglial activity by natural compounds to alleviate neuroinflammation and protect neural function after ischemic stroke. Collectively, using natural compounds to suppress the microglia-mediated detrimental inflammatory response, meanwhile enhancing their anti-inflammatory abilities to accelerate neuronal recovery, will be promising therapeutic approaches for ischemic stroke.
format Article
id doaj-art-8ba8b56daefe47cdbabbb19fa39b53ae
institution OA Journals
issn 2296-634X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
spelling doaj-art-8ba8b56daefe47cdbabbb19fa39b53ae2025-08-20T02:08:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-06-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15804791580479Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic strokeLu Yu0Yin Dong1Mincheng Li2Huifang Liu3Cuina Yan4Xiaoxian Li5Yuehua Gu6Liwei Wang7Chuan Xu8Jie Xu9Zhen Yuan10Ming Xia11Jiwei Cheng12Comprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Shanghai Jinshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinqiao Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaComprehensive Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Neurology, First Department of Integration, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaGiven that ischemic stroke ranks as one of the most fatal diseases globally, it is imperative to develop clinically effective neuroprotective agents for stroke. Microglia serve as innate immune cells for maintaining brain homeostasis, and upon activation, they are well-known to be able to transform into two functional phenotypes, namely, the M1 and M2 types, which can convert each other and exert opposing effects on neurotoxicity and neuroprotection, respectively. Traditional Chinese medicine possesses a deep-rooted and profound history with rich theory in treating cerebrovascular disorders, and its natural compounds have been considered as promising adjunctive therapies. Recently, researchers have been devoting attention to the inflammation-suppressive properties of the compounds from Chinese herbs. These compounds are gradually emerging as adoptable therapeutic agents with wide application prospect for improving stroke outcomes, through regulating microglial polarization to attenuate neuroinflammation. Thereby, we reviewed the functions of microglial cells in inflammation and neuroprotection and explored the regulation of microglial activity by natural compounds to alleviate neuroinflammation and protect neural function after ischemic stroke. Collectively, using natural compounds to suppress the microglia-mediated detrimental inflammatory response, meanwhile enhancing their anti-inflammatory abilities to accelerate neuronal recovery, will be promising therapeutic approaches for ischemic stroke.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1580479/fullischemic strokemicroglianeuroinflammationtraditional Chinese herbsnatural compounds
spellingShingle Lu Yu
Yin Dong
Mincheng Li
Huifang Liu
Cuina Yan
Xiaoxian Li
Yuehua Gu
Liwei Wang
Chuan Xu
Jie Xu
Zhen Yuan
Ming Xia
Jiwei Cheng
Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
ischemic stroke
microglia
neuroinflammation
traditional Chinese herbs
natural compounds
title Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
title_full Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
title_fullStr Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
title_full_unstemmed Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
title_short Targeting microglia polarization with Chinese herb-derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
title_sort targeting microglia polarization with chinese herb derived natural compounds for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke
topic ischemic stroke
microglia
neuroinflammation
traditional Chinese herbs
natural compounds
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1580479/full
work_keys_str_mv AT luyu targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT yindong targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT minchengli targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT huifangliu targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT cuinayan targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT xiaoxianli targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT yuehuagu targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT liweiwang targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT chuanxu targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT jiexu targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT zhenyuan targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT mingxia targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke
AT jiweicheng targetingmicrogliapolarizationwithchineseherbderivednaturalcompoundsforneuroprotectioninischemicstroke