Endothelial Protective Effects of Ferulic Acid in Pre-eclampsia Treatment

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a complex gestational disorder marked by vascular abnormalities and elevated blood pressure, yet remains without widely effective treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of Ferulic Acid (FA) in alleviating PE symptoms by targeting the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling axis to enhance endothelial integrity and reduce inflammation. An L-NAME-induced PE mouse model was utilized, with FA administration to pregnant mice to assess therapeutic effects on key outcomes such as blood pressure, proteinuria, and placental function. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and molecular assays were conducted to examine FA's impact on endothelial cell balance, inflammation, and pathway-specific activity. The results showed that FA treatment significantly reduced hypertension, proteinuria, and inflammation, while improving endothelial cell balance in PE mice. Additionally, inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation by FA enhanced endothelial barrier function, stabilized vascular integrity, and supported improved fetal development outcomes. Overall, these findings demonstrate the protective effects of FA in PE by alleviating endothelial impairment and dampening inflammatory activity, offering a promising strategy to improve maternal and fetal health in PE, with implications for managing pregnancy-related vascular dysfunctions.