MAPK8 and ischemic stroke: In this study, NXC736 reduced NF-κB expression in microglia and attenuated the activation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38) in the pMCAO-challenged brain, indicating that NXC736 may exert its protective effects in permanent ischemic stroke by modulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.