2026 CONVENTION
Neuroprotective effects of YIV-906 on hemin-induced neurotoxicity: the involvement of A1/A2 astrocytic and M1/M2 microglial polarization
Background: YIV-906, a standardized four-herb formulation derived from \"Huang Qin Tang,\" shows potential for treating secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Objective: This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of YIV-906 using in vitro and in vivo ICH models. Methods: An in vitro model was established using primary cortical neurons exposed to hemin (30 μM). An in vivo model was created by intrastriatal hemin infusion (5 mM/7 μL) in SD rats, followed by oral YIV-906 administration (500 mg/kg, b.i.d.). Results: In vitro, YIV-906 concentration-dependently attenuated hemin cytotoxicity (LDH assay) and prevented the reduction of α-synuclein monomer, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), indicating reduced synaptic loss, neurite impairment, and ferroptosis. In vivo, YIV-906 improved motor asymmetry (corner-turning test) and decreased biomarkers of oxidative stress (HO-1, 4HNE) and pathological α-synuclein aggregation. It suppressed neuroinflammation & glial cells activation (COX-2, ED-1, GFAP) and cell death markers (caspase-3, RIP3). Significantly, YIV-906 decreased M1/A1 markers (iNOS, Complement 3) while restoring M2/A2 markers (CD206, S100A10), shifting glial cells toward anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Conclusion: YIV-906 exerts neuroprotective effects against hemin toxicity by mitigating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and programmed cell death, partially via modulating glial polarization (A1/A2 and M1/M2).