Safflower Yellow Pigment Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Protein Nitration and Oxidative Modulation

Objective

We seek to investigate the efficacy of safflower yellow pigment in mitigating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by examining its effects on protein nitration and oxidative modification.

Methods

A total of 160 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the department of neurology of Xingtai people's hospital were included in this study. This study was a retrospective study. Patients were divided into the control group (n = 80) and the observation group (n = 80) according to whether safflower yellow pigment was used. The control group received conventional treatment, and the observation group received safflower yellow pigment.

Results

Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Serum nitrosine levels were lower in the observation group compared to the control group after 24 h and one week of treatment (p < 0.05). Similarly, serum carbonylated protein levels were lower in the observation group after 24 h and one week of treatment (p < 0.05). The observation group exhibited lower NIHSS and modified rankin scale (mRS) scores, reduced cerebral ischemic area. Furthermore, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were lower, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in the observation group compared to the control group after one week of treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Safflower yellow pigment demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects in patients with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing protein oxidation and nitration, improving neurological function, reducing cerebral ischemic area, and attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation.