Early Treatment with Sublingual Edaravone Dexborneol Enhances Recovery in acute ischemic stroke, finds study

An Original Investigation published in JAMA Neurology has concluded that sublingual edaravone dexborneol can enhance the chances of achieving favorable clinical outcomes at 90 days for individuals with acute ischemic stroke.

Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of sublingual edaravone dexborneol on functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group, phase 3 RCT (June 28, 2021, to August 10, 2022) with a 90-day follow-up.

The study included participants from 33 centres in China aged 18 to 80 years, with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score between 6 and 20, a total motor deficit score of 2 or greater for upper and lower limbs, a clinically diagnosed AIS symptom within 48 hours, and a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or less before the stroke. Patients who did not meet the eligibility criteria or declined participation were excluded.

Patients were randomly assigned to receive sublingual edaravone dexborneol (edaravone, 30 mg; dexborneol, 6 mg) or a placebo (edaravone, 0 mg; dexborneol, 60 μg) twice daily for 14 days.

Key findings from the study are:

Concluding further, in AIS patients treated within 48 hours following the onset of symptoms, sublingual edaravone dexborneol improved 90-day functional outcomes by providing brain cytoprotection.

Reference:

Fu Y et al. Sublingual Edaravone Dexborneol for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: The TASTE-SL Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. Published online February 19, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.5716