Publication Name	World Journal of Stem Cells
Manuscript ID	124062
DOI	10.4252/wjsc.124062
Country	China

Category	Neurosciences
Manuscript Type	Basic Study
Article Title	Qixiong Zuogui-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect neurovascular unit in aged rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Fei-Yan Fan, Dan Wang, Fu-Gui Liu, Na Chen, Chun-Miao Ying, Xiao-Long Pan, Yun-Ke Zhang and Min Zhao
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Department of Science and Technology of Henan Province 224200510027 Henan University of Chinese Medicine “Double First-Class” Creation Project HSRP-DFCTCM-2023-1-04 Henan Lingrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. KY-A0739 First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine 2024BSJJ022 Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province 262300422218 Health Commission of Henan Province LHGJ20250418
Corresponding Author	Yun-Ke Zhang, PhD, Professor, Department of Encephalopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 19 Renmin Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan Province, China. henanzyk@126.com
Key Words	Aging; Ischemic stroke; Neurovascular unit; Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes; Qixiong Zuogui Compound
Core Tip	Neurovascular unit (NVU) dysfunction is a core mechanism of ischemic stroke in elderly patients. This study demonstrates that Qixiong Zuogui Compound (QXZG)-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) protect NVU integrity in rats with D-galactose-induced aging subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. Mechanistically, QXZG-preconditioned MSC-Exos may inhibit inflammatory responses by regulating the sirtuin 1/nuclear factor kappa B pathway, thereby contributing to the restoration of NVU homeostasis and neurological recovery.
Citation	Fan FY, Wang D, Liu FG, Chen N, Ying CM, Pan XL, Zhang YK, Zhao M. Qixiong Zuogui-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect neurovascular unit in aged rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. World J Stem Cells 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.124062
PDF	124062-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-06-05 06:21
Peer-Review Started	2026-06-05 06:21
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-02 07:35
Revised	2026-07-30 12:33
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-08-19 03:47
Second Decision by Editor	2026-10-02 07:10
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-10-28 10:25
Articles in Press	2026-10-28 10:25
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-0210 (online)
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Copyright	©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
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