Longevity & AgingPlant Compound Herbacetin Blocks Brain Cell Death After Traumatic Injury
Researchers found that herbacetin (HBT), a flavonoid from Sedum plants, significantly reduces ferroptosis — an iron-driven form of cell death — following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In cell models and TBI mice, HBT lowered lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and iron accumulation while preserving mitochondrial function. The compound works by upregulating HIF-1α, which in turn boosts SLC7A11 and GPX4, two critical antioxidant defense proteins. Neurons were protected and microglial activation was reduced in injured brain tissue. These findings suggest HBT may have real therapeutic potential as a neuroprotective agent after TBI.
