Paeoniae alba Radix Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Kun-Shan Huang,Jaung-Geng Lin,Chih-Yang Huang,Han-Chung Lee,Da-Tian Bau,Fuu-Jen Tsai,Chun-Hsu Yao,Yueh-Sheng Chen

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep115

Abstract

The present study provides in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Paeoniae alba Radix (PR) on peripheral nerve regeneration. In the in vitro study, we found the PR caused a marked enhancement of the nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as well as their expression of growth associated protein 43 and synapsin I. In the in vivo study, silicone rubber chambers filled with the PR water extract were used to bridge a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. At the conclusion of 8 weeks, regenerated nerves in the PR groups, especially at 1.25 mg ml−1 had a higher rate of successful regeneration across the wide gap, relatively larger mean values of total nerve area, myelinated axon count and blood vessel number, and a significantly larger nerve conductive velocity compared to the control group (P < .05). These results suggest that the PR extract can be a potential nerve growth-promoting factor, being salutary in aiding the growth of injured peripheral nerve.

Highlights

In anastomosis, different neuro-stimulating substances have been used to investigate the possible promotion of the growth of axons in peripheral nerve to cross gaps and grow into the distal segment in a shorter period
In the in vitro study, we found the Paeoniae alba Radix (PR) caused a marked enhancement of the nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as well as their expression of growth associated protein 43 and synapsin I
PC12 cells exposed to PR with NGF all formed long neurites, which extended to the neighboring cells of distances even more than three cell diameters (Figures 1(c)–1(e))

Summary

Introduction

Different neuro-stimulating substances have been used to investigate the possible promotion of the growth of axons in peripheral nerve to cross gaps and grow into the distal segment in a shorter period. These neurostimulating substances include nerve growth factor [1], brain-derived neurotrophic factor [2], collagen [3], laminincontaining gel [4], and so forth. We tried to investigate the effect of another commonly used herbal medicine, the Paeonia veitchii Lynch, on peripheral nerve regeneration. Afterwards, we filled the extraction of PR in silicone rubber

Methods

Results

Conclusion