Punicalagin Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair by Enhancing Mitophagy via the TLR4 / MAPK Signaling Pathway and Facilitating Angiogenesis

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Main Authors: Anhao Guo, Ke Wang, Jinghao Liang, Chuanpeng Xia, Kongmei Luo, Salah Alqadhi, Hanwen Zhang, Shanying Xiao, Tao Lin, Zhe Zhang, Long Wu, Hede Yan
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2026
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author Anhao Guo
Ke Wang
Jinghao Liang
Chuanpeng Xia
Kongmei Luo
Salah Alqadhi
Hanwen Zhang
Shanying Xiao
Tao Lin
Zhe Zhang
Long Wu
Hede Yan
author_facet Anhao Guo
Ke Wang
Jinghao Liang
Chuanpeng Xia
Kongmei Luo
Salah Alqadhi
Hanwen Zhang
Shanying Xiao
Tao Lin
Zhe Zhang
Long Wu
Hede Yan
Anhao Guo
Ke Wang
Jinghao Liang
Chuanpeng Xia
Kongmei Luo
Salah Alqadhi
Hanwen Zhang
Shanying Xiao
Tao Lin
Zhe Zhang
Long Wu
Hede Yan
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Punicalagin Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair by Enhancing Mitophagy via the TLR4 / MAPK Signaling Pathway and Facilitating Angiogenesis Anhao Guo Ke Wang Jinghao Liang Chuanpeng Xia Kongmei Luo Salah Alqadhi Hanwen Zhang Shanying Xiao Tao Lin Zhe Zhang Long Wu Hede Yan Phytotherapy Research ABSTRACT Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) often leads to functional impairment, and current therapeutic options are limited. Punicalagin (PUN), a polyphenolic compound derived from Punica granatum , exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of PUN for PNI and its underlying mechanisms, focusing on mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), TLR4/MAPK signaling, and angiogenesis. In vitro, Schwann cells were treated with PUN under oxidative stress induced by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide to evaluate cell viability, mitochondrial function, mitophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis. PUN at non‐toxic concentrations (≤ 20 μM) promoted mitophagy, attenuated ROS accumulation, and inhibited apoptosis. These effects were partially reversed by the mitophagy inhibitor Bafilomycin A1. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified TLR4 as a primary target, and Western blot analyses demonstrated that PUN modulated downstream MAPK signaling. In vivo, intraperitoneal PUN administration in rats after sciatic nerve crush injury improved gastrocnemius muscle preservation, promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination, enhanced neovascularization, and significantly improved functional recovery, as measured by the sciatic functional index. Collectively, these findings indicate that PUN facilitates peripheral nerve repair through coordinated regulation of mitophagy, TLR4/MAPK signaling, and angiogenesis, highlighting its potential as a non‐surgical therapeutic agent to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery after PNI. 10.1002/ptr.70281 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
doi_str_mv 10.1002/ptr.70281
format Artículo Open Access
id wiley_oa_10_1002_ptr_70281
institution Wiley Open Access
license_str_mv http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
publishDate 2026
publisher Wiley
record_format wiley_oa
spellingShingle Punicalagin Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair by Enhancing Mitophagy via the TLR4 / MAPK Signaling Pathway and Facilitating Angiogenesis
Anhao Guo
Ke Wang
Jinghao Liang
Chuanpeng Xia
Kongmei Luo
Salah Alqadhi
Hanwen Zhang
Shanying Xiao
Tao Lin
Zhe Zhang
Long Wu
Hede Yan
Phytotherapy Research
Punicalagin Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair by Enhancing Mitophagy via the TLR4 / MAPK Signaling Pathway and Facilitating Angiogenesis Anhao Guo Ke Wang Jinghao Liang Chuanpeng Xia Kongmei Luo Salah Alqadhi Hanwen Zhang Shanying Xiao Tao Lin Zhe Zhang Long Wu Hede Yan Phytotherapy Research ABSTRACT Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) often leads to functional impairment, and current therapeutic options are limited. Punicalagin (PUN), a polyphenolic compound derived from Punica granatum , exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of PUN for PNI and its underlying mechanisms, focusing on mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), TLR4/MAPK signaling, and angiogenesis. In vitro, Schwann cells were treated with PUN under oxidative stress induced by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide to evaluate cell viability, mitochondrial function, mitophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis. PUN at non‐toxic concentrations (≤ 20 μM) promoted mitophagy, attenuated ROS accumulation, and inhibited apoptosis. These effects were partially reversed by the mitophagy inhibitor Bafilomycin A1. Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified TLR4 as a primary target, and Western blot analyses demonstrated that PUN modulated downstream MAPK signaling. In vivo, intraperitoneal PUN administration in rats after sciatic nerve crush injury improved gastrocnemius muscle preservation, promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination, enhanced neovascularization, and significantly improved functional recovery, as measured by the sciatic functional index. Collectively, these findings indicate that PUN facilitates peripheral nerve repair through coordinated regulation of mitophagy, TLR4/MAPK signaling, and angiogenesis, highlighting its potential as a non‐surgical therapeutic agent to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery after PNI. 10.1002/ptr.70281 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
title Punicalagin Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair by Enhancing Mitophagy via the TLR4 / MAPK Signaling Pathway and Facilitating Angiogenesis
topic Phytotherapy Research
url https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.70281