Danshen-Chuanxiong-Honghua ameliorates neurological function and inflammation in traumatic brain injury in rats via modulating Ghrelin/GHSR.

Animal study using a controlled cortical impact model in rats

“Controlled cortical impact (CCI) was chosen to establish TBI model.”

Rats with traumatic brain injury

“Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (D-Lys3) was injected intraperitoneally in TBI rats after waking up.”

Twenty-six phytochemicals were identified in the DCH extract

“Twenty-six phytochemicals were identified based on LC-MS.”

Ferulic acid alleviated blood-brain barrier disruption and reduced brain edema

“FA, as the primary contributor of DCH, alleviated disruption of BBB and reduced brain edema, suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory factors, such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, as well as HPA axis-related hormones such as DA, NA, and 5-HT, and ghrelin, and BDNF by regulating the Ghrelin/GHSR pathway.”

Results were validated using a GHSR receptor antagonist and molecular docking

“These results were validated by GHSR receptor antagonist, as well as molecule docking.”