The application of cold atmospheric plasma technology in the brain: The potential role of reactive species in neuroprotection effects of plasma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play crucial roles as signaling molecules in neurophysiology. While high levels of ROS and RNS can lead to neuronal damage, their low levels stimulate growth and development and suggest protective effects. Recently, notable advancements in the field of biomedical applications and treatments using cold atmospheric plasma technology were made. This innovative approach has demonstrated remarkable success in various areas, including cell growth and proliferation, differentiation, and protection against oxidative stress. These favorable outcomes are attributed to the activation of reactive species-based pathways through cold atmospheric plasma stimulation. It has been shown that cold atmospheric plasma can have dose and time-dependent protective effects on brain cells by interfering with cell survival and proliferation pathways through reactive species, and it can be a potential therapeutic strategy to protect neurons against central nervous system (CNS) damages. Hence, this review focuses on the regeneration and neuroprotection effects and mechanisms of cold atmospheric plasma in treating neurological injuries and presents the latest developments in the application of this technology in the CNS.