Modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction: Mechanisms and strategies for the use of natural products to treat stroke

Modulations of mitochondrial dysfunction, which involve a series of dynamic processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitochondrial transport, mitochondrial autophagy, mitochondrial apoptosis, and oxidative stress, play an important role in the onset and progression of stroke. With a better understanding of the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction modulations in post-stroke neurological injury, these modulations have emerged as a potential target for stroke prevention and treatment. Additionally, since effective treatments for stroke are extremely limited and natural products currently offer some outstanding advantages, we focused on the findings and mechanisms of action related to the use of natural products for targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in the treatment of stroke. Natural products achieve neuroprotective through multi-target regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction encompassing the following processes: (1) Mitochondrial biogenesis: Cordyceps and hydroxysafflor yellow A activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha/nuclear respiratory factor pathway, promote mitochondrial DNA replication and respiratory chain protein synthesis, and thereby restore energy supply in the ischemic penumbra. (2) Mitochondrial dynamics balance: Ginsenoside Rb3 promotes Opa1-mediated neural stem cell migration and diffusion for recovery of damaged brain tissue. (3) Mitochondrial autophagy: Gypenoside XVII selectively eliminates damaged mitochondria via the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1/Parkin pathway and blocks reactive oxygen species and the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome cascade, thereby alleviating blood-brain barrier damage. (4) Anti-apoptotic mechanisms: Ginkgolide K inhibits Bax mitochondrial translocation and downregulates caspase-3/9 activity, reducing neuronal programmed death induced by ischemia-reperfusion. (5) Oxidative stress regulation: Scutellarin exerts antioxidant properties and improves neurological function by modulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5-Kruppel-like factor 2-endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. (6) Intercellular mitochondrial transport: Neuroprotective effects of Chrysophanol are associated with accelerated mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes to neurons. Existing studies have confirmed that natural products exhibit neuroprotective effects through multidimensional interventions targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke models. However, their clinical translation still faces challenges, such as the difficulty in standardization due to component complexity, insufficient cross-regional clinical data, and the lack of long-term safety evaluations. Future research should aim to integrate new technologies, such as single-cell sequencing and organoid models, to deeply explore the mitochondria-targeting mechanisms of natural products and validate their efficacy through multicenter clinical trials, providing theoretical support and translational pathways for the development of novel anti-stroke drugs.