Skip to content

Study · Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2021

15 results

Neuroprotective action of Cortexin, Cerebrolysin and Actovegin in acute or chronic brain ischemia in rats.

Kurkin DV, Bakulin DA, Morkovin EI, Kalatanova AV, Makarenko IE, Dorotenko AR, Kovalev NS, Dubrovina MA, Verkholyak DV, Abrosimova EE, Smirnov AV, Shmidt MV, Tyurenkov IN

PloS one14 Jul 2021Cited by 22 (Europe PMC)

PMID34260655 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC8279368 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0254493 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-34260655
Download PDFPubMedAsk about this study
Jump to 15 results

Summary

This study was the first to compare the neuroprotective activity of Cerebrolysin®, Actovegin® and Cortexin® in rodent models of acute and chronic brain ischemia. The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats. Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days. To assess the neurological and motor impairments, open field test, adhesive removal test, rotarod performance test and Morris water maze test were performed. Brain damage was assessed macro- and microscopically, and antioxidant system activity was measured in brain homogenates. In separate experiments in vitro binding of Cortexin® to a wide panel of receptors was assessed, and blood-brain barrier permeability of Cortexin® was assessed in mice in vivo. Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats. Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model. Radioactively labeled Cortexin® crossed the blood-brain barrier in mice in vivo with concentrations equal to 6-8% of concentrations found in whole blood. During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%), which means that effects observed in vivo could be related on the glutamatergic and GABAergic actions of Cortexin®. Thus, Cortexin, 1 or 3 mg/kg, or Cerebrolysin®, 538 or 1614 mg/kg, were effective in models acute and chronic brain ischemia in rats. Cortexin® contains compounds acting on AMPA, kainate, mGluR1, GABAA1 and mGluR5 receptors in vitro, and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier in mice.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study15

14 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin improved neurological function recovery.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin improved neurological recovery.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    IncreaseNeurological function recovery
    Study

    ratsn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    538 or 1614 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rats).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin reduced sensorimotor impairment.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin reduced sensorimotor impairment.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseSensorimotor impairment
    Study

    ratsn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    538 or 1614 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rats).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin reduced cognitive impairment.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cerebrolysin reduced cognitive impairment.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseCognitive impairment
    Study

    ratsn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    538 or 1614 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rats).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin improved recovery of neurological functions.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin improved neurological recovery.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    IncreaseNeurological recovery
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced sensorimotor impairment.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced sensorimotor problems.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    DecreaseSensorimotor impairment
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced cognitive impairment.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced cognitive problems.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCognitive impairment
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with acute brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced brain tissue necrosis size.

    In plain wordsIn rats with acute brain ischemia, Cortexin reduced brain tissue necrosis.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    DecreaseBrain necrosis size
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Acute brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin improved antioxidant system function.

    In plain wordsIn rats with brain ischemia, Cortexin improved the antioxidant system.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    IncreaseAntioxidant system function
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Acute or chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  9. 09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with chronic brain ischemia, Cortexin prevented severe neurodegenerative changes.

    In plain wordsIn rats with chronic brain ischemia, Cortexin prevented severe degenerative brain changes.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    DecreaseSevere neurodegenerative changes
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Chronic brain ischemia
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    1 or 3 mg/kg/day · 10 daysAs given in this study (rat).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats.
    Summary · context
    Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days.
  10. 10LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In lab tests, Cortexin showed 80.1% binding to AMPA receptors.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, Cortexin showed 80.1% binding to AMPA receptors.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicableAMPA receptor binding
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    In vitro receptor binding assay
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology
    Studied dose
    10 μg/mlAs given in this study.

    Measurements

    Binding
    80.1%
    AMPA receptors

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%)
  11. 11LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In lab tests, Cortexin showed 73.5% binding to kainate receptors.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, Cortexin showed 73.5% binding to kainate receptors.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicableKainate receptor binding
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    In vitro receptor binding assay
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology
    Studied dose
    10 μg/mlAs given in this study.

    Measurements

    Binding
    73.5%
    kainate receptors

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%)
  12. 12LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In lab tests, Cortexin showed 49.0% binding to mGluR1.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, Cortexin showed 49.0% binding to mGluR1.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicablemGluR1 binding
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    In vitro receptor binding assay
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology
    Studied dose
    10 μg/mlAs given in this study.

    Measurements

    Binding
    49%
    mGluR1

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%)
  13. 13LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In lab tests, Cortexin showed 44.0% binding to GABAA1.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, Cortexin showed 44.0% binding to GABAA1.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicableGABAA1 binding
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    In vitro receptor binding assay
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology
    Studied dose
    10 μg/mlAs given in this study.

    Measurements

    Binding
    44%
    GABAA1

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%)
  14. 14LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In lab tests, Cortexin showed 39.7% binding to mGluR5.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, Cortexin showed 39.7% binding to mGluR5.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicablemGluR5 binding
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    In vitro receptor binding assay
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology
    Studied dose
    10 μg/mlAs given in this study.

    Measurements

    Binding
    39.7%
    mGluR5

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%)

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex).

  1. 15AnimalNot a test of Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics

    In mice, radioactively labeled Cortexin crossed the blood-brain barrier, reaching brain concentrations equal to 6-8% of whole-blood concentrations.

    In plain wordsIn mice, labeled Cortexin crossed into the brain, reaching 6-8% of whole-blood concentrations.

    Peptide
    Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex)
    Outcome
    Not applicableBrain penetration
    Study

    mousen: not reported in source

    Radiolabeled Cortexin blood-brain barrier study
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Nervous system and cognition

    Measurements

    Brain concentration relative to whole blood
    6 to 8%
    radiolabeled Cortexin

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Radioactively labeled Cortexin® crossed the blood-brain barrier in mice in vivo with concentrations equal to 6-8% of concentrations found in whole blood.

    In this study, Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Cortexin (cortical polypeptide complex).

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  2. Version 2

    14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC

    Study results updated

  3. Version 1

    14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.