The neuroprotective effect of Salvia przewalskii extract of total phenolic acids for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury in rats.

Salvia przewalskii Maxim. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine which has long been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. The current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Salvia przewalskii extract of total phenolic acids (SPE) in a rat model of acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). Quantitative analysis of the active constituents in SPE by HPLC showed that rosmarinic acid accounted for 34.32% and salvianolic acid B for 4.27%. The experiment with the ASCI rat model demonstrated that SPE did not have significant adverse effects on body mass on day 1 and 3 after drug administration. In addition, SPE treatment significantly enhanced the BBB scores, improved the inclined plane angles and increased the serum levels of oxidative stress markers SOD and GSH in ASCI rats. Concurrently, it reduced the serum levels of MDA and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-18. SPE also mitigated neuronal damage within the spinal cord tissue by minimizing hemorrhage and preserving neuronal integrity. Mechanistically, SPE ameliorated neuronal damage in the spinal cord by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, thereby facilitating the recovery of motor function in ASCI rats.