Pectolinarin Promotes Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating Microglia Polarization Through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

After spinal cord injury (SCI), microglia polarization plays an important role in spinal cord recovery and axon regeneration. In this study, we conducted mRNA microarrays to identify genes associated with different microglial phenotypes. The results showed a correlation between microglial polarization and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, a key regulator of inflammatory responses. In addition, we found that Pectolinarin (PTR) could effectively inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced M1 polarization of microglia and facilitate their transition to the M2 phenotype by directly suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In our established animal model of SCI, it was confirmed that PTR treatment induced microglial polarization towards the M2 phenotype, resulting in reduced fibrous scar formation, enhanced myelin reconstitution, and improved axonal regeneration. In conclusion, targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway with PTR presents a promising new direction for SCI treatment.