Salvinorin A (SA) exerts neuroprotection and improves neurological outcomes in ischemic stroke models in rodents. In this study, we investigated whether intranasal SA administration could improve neurological outcomes in a monkey ischemic stroke model. The stroke model was induced in adult male rhesus monkeys by occluding the middle cerebral artery M2 segment with an autologous blood clot. Eight adult rhesus monkeys were randomly administered SA or 10% dimethyl sulfoxide as control 20 min after ischemia. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to confirm the ischemia and extent of injury. Neurological function was evaluated using the Non-Human Primate Stroke Scale (NHPSS) over a 28-day observation period. SA significantly reduced infarct volume (3.9 ± 0.7 cm3 vs. 7.2 ± 1.0 cm3; P = 0.002), occupying effect (0.3 ± 0.2% vs. 1.4 ± 0.3%; P = 0.002), and diffusion limitation in the lesion (-28.2 ± 11.0% vs. -51.5 ± 7.1%; P = 0.012) when compared to the control group. SA significantly reduced the NHPSS scores to almost normal in a 28-day observation period as compared to the control group (P = 0.005). Intranasal SA reduces infarct volume and improves neurological outcomes in a rhesus monkey ischemic stroke model using autologous blood clot.
Keywords: Ischemia; neuroprotection; rhesus; salvinorin A; stroke.