Chemical composition, pharmacology and pharmacokinetic studies of GuHong injection in the treatment of ischemic stroke

GuHong injection is composed of safflower and N-acetyl-L-glutamine. It is widely used in clinical for cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemic stroke and related diseases. The objective of this review is to comprehensively summarize the most recent information related to GuHong in the treatment of stroke, including chemical composition, clinical studies, potential pharmacological mechanisms and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, it examines possible scientific gaps in current study and aims to provide a reliable reference for future GuHong studies. The systematic review reveals that the chemical composition of safflower in GuHong is more than 300 chemical components in five categories. GuHong injection is primarily used in clinical applications for acute ischemic stroke and related diseases. Pharmacological investigations have indicated that GuHong acts in the early and recovery stages of ischemic stroke by anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, anti-coagulation, neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic mechanisms simultaneously. Pharmacokinetic studies found that the main exposed substances in rat plasma after GuHong administration are hydroxysafflor yellow A and N-acetyl-L-glutamine, and N-acetyl-L-glutamine could exert its pharmacological effect across the blood-brain barrier. As a combination of Chinese herb and chemical drug, GuHong injection has great value in drug research and clinical treatment, especially for ischemic stroke disease. This article represents a comprehensive and systematic review of existing studies on GuHong injection, including chemical composition, pharmacological mechanism, and pharmacokinetics, which provides reference significance for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke with GuHong, as well as provides guidance for further study.

Automated summary

GuHong injection, composed of safflower and N-acetyl-L-glutamine, is used in clinical practice for treating cerebrovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke. This systematic review aims to comprehensively summarize the recent research on GuHong in stroke treatment, including its chemical composition, clinical studies, pharmacological mechanisms, and pharmacokinetics. The review shows that GuHong injection acts through various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, anti-coagulation, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects. It also highlights the main substances found in rat plasma after GuHong administration and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Overall, GuHong injection has significant value in drug research and clinical treatment, particularly for ischemic stroke.