Bergapten attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation to promote the survival and neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells after ischemic insult.

Background: Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. A significant challenge in recovery is the hostile microenvironment in the ischemic penumbra, characterized by excessive oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which leads to massive neuronal death and impedes the regenerative potential of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Bergapten, a natural coumarin derivative, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various disease models, suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective agent. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether bergapten could protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in a simulated ischemic stroke model, and subsequently promote the survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation of NSPCs. Methods: We established Results: H Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that bergapten possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in neural cell models of ischemic injury. By ameliorating the hostile microenvironment, bergapten enhances NSPC survival and facilitates their differentiation into neurons. This study provides the first experimental evidence supporting bergapten as a promising therapeutic candidate to promote endogenous neurogenesis and functional repair after ischemic stroke.