Rg1 improves motor recovery after spinal cord injury by suppressing astrocytic NLRP2 inflammasome via the TLR4–MyD88–NF-κB pathway

Here, we report that ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates astrocyte pyroptosis by regulating the TLR4‑MyD88‑NF‑κB signaling axis, thereby promoting functional recovery in SCI rats. RNA‑seq combined with RT‑qPCR analysis revealed that Rg1 treatment significantly downregulated the transcriptional levels of Tlr4, Myd88, and Map3k7 in primary astrocytes, and reduced the expression and nuclear translocation of downstream NF‑κB pathway phosphoproteins (p‑IKKβ, p‑p65).

Collectively, our data provide a molecular framework for the neuroprotective effects of Rg1 after SCI: Rg1 inhibits TLR4‑MyD88‑IKKβ/NF‑κB signaling, downregulates NLRP2 inflammasome‑mediated astrocyte pyroptosis, thereby alleviating neuroinflammation and promoting motor functional recovery. Importantly, the RNA‑seq analysis offers global molecular evidence identifying the key transcriptional pathway (TLR4/MyD88/NF‑κB) targeted by Rg1.