Neuroprotective mechanisms of Asiatic acid

Asiatic acid (AA) is a key component found in many medicinal plants and has various biological activities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies suggest AA may be beneficial in treating neurological diseases. AA has shown potential in treating conditions like spinal cord injury, cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. It appears to protect the central nervous system through various signaling pathways. This review examines the neuroprotective effects of AA and its mechanisms, suggesting it could be a candidate for developing new drugs targeting the central nervous system.

• 1
  AA can attenuate neurological deficits and reduce brain edema in traumatic brain injury (TBI) models by targeting the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
• 2
  In spinal cord injury (SCI) models, AA reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation, improving recovery and suppressing oxidative/inflammatory stress.
• 3
  AA decreases cerebral infarct volume and enhances neurological outcomes in cerebral ischemia models, protecting mitochondria and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction.