Study of the correlation between the anti-ischemic stroke mechanism of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and its response to reactive oxygen species in brain metabolism

Background The active ingredient of Gastrodia elata , 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBd), can rapidly enter the brain and undergo massive oxidation to produce the metabolite 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), which has no significant activity after equal dose gavage. It is crucial to clarify the metabolic pathway of 4-HBd and its correlation with the anti IS mechanism. Objective To explore the possible mechanism of 4-HBd in clearing ROS and protecting BBB from oxidative stress damage during brain metabolism from the perspective of ROS response. Method A rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and a cellular oxidative stress response model were replicated to simulate the accumulation process of ROS in the brain. The changes in ROS and peroxidation products before and after 4-HBd intervention were detected, and the changes in oxidative metabolism were also measured to confirm the correlation between antioxidant stress damage and ROS capture/clearance in oxidative metabolism. Result 4-HBd has significant antioxidant stress resistance both in vitro and in vivo, and can reduce the levels of MDA and 4-HNE in ischemic brain tissue. It can capture O2·- and ·OH in vitro and use the captured ROS to oxidize and metabolize 4-HBA. Conclusion The oxidative metabolism process of 4-HBd in the brain is one of its mechanisms for exerting antioxidant stress damage and protecting BBB.