Astragalus saponins improves stroke by promoting the proliferation of neural stem cells through phosphorylation of Akt.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As one of major components of Buyang Huanwu decoction, Astragali Radix is broadly used for stroke treatment. Astragalus saponins (AST), the main active compound from Astragali Radix has the potentials for neuroprotection and improving spatial memory without clear pharmacological mechanism.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to investigate that pretreatment of AST is beneficial to protect against focal ischemic stroke in mouse model and its related underlying mechanism.

A Bama miniature pig model of monoallelic TSC1 mutation for human tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a dominant genetic neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by multiple organ hamartomas. Although rodent models bearing a germline mutation in either TSC1 or TSC2 gene have been generated, they do not develop pathogenic lesions matching those seen in patients with TSC because of the significant differences between mice and humans, highlighting the need for an improved large animal model of TSC. Here, we successfully generate monoallelic TSC1-modified Bama miniature pigs using the CRISPR/Cas9 system along with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology.