Mastoparan M promotes functional recovery in stroke mice by activating autophagy and inhibiting ferroptosis

Neuronal Ferroptosis and Autophagy are crucial in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). Mastoparan M (Mast-M), extracted from the crude venom of Vespa magnifica (Smith), comprises 14 amino acid residues. Previous studies suggested that Mast-M reduces neuronal damage following global CIRI, but its protective mechanisms remain unclear. The present study examined the effect of Mast-M on middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) induced neurological deficits using Grip, Rotarod, Longa test, and TTC staining, followed by treating the mice for three days with Mast-M (20, 40, and 80 μg/kg, subcutaneously). The results demonstrate that Mast-M promotes functional recovery in mice post-ischemic stroke, evidenced by improved neurological impairment, reduced infarct volume and neuronal damage. Meanwhile, the level of iron (Fe²⁺) and malonyldialdehyde was decreased in the ischemic hemisphere of MCAO/R mice at 24 hours or 48 hours by Mast-M (80 μg/kg) treatment, while the expression of NRF2, x-CT, GPX4, and LC3B protein was increased. Furthermore, these findings were validated in three models-oxygen-glucose deprivation/ reoxygenation, H₂O₂-induced peroxidation, and erastin-induced ferroptosis-in hippocampal neuron HT22 cells or primary neurons. These data suggested that Mast-M activates Autophagy as well as inhibits Ferroptosis. Finally, Autophagy inhibitors were introduced to determine the relationship between the Autophagy and Ferroptosis, indicating that Mast-M alleviates Ferroptosis by activating Autophagy. Taken together, this study described that Mast-M alleviates cerebral infarction, neurologic impairment, and neuronal damage by activating Autophagy and inhibiting Ferroptosis, presenting a potential therapeutic approach for CIRI.