Bu Shen Huo Xue decoction promotes functional recovery in spinal cord injury mice by improving the microenvironment to promote axonal regeneration

Chinese Medicine, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-022-00639-y · Published: July 5, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue (BSHX) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, on spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in mice. The decoction contains compounds like Gallic acid and Rosmarinic acid, which have shown neuroprotective effects. BSHX treatment improved motor function, reduced tissue damage, and promoted a microenvironment conducive to axonal regeneration in SCI mice.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

60 male C57BL/6 mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
BSHX decoction improved motor function recovery in SCI mice.
2
BSHX treatment reduced tissue damage and neuron loss by inhibiting astrocyte activation and promoting microglia polarization towards the M2 phenotype.
3
BSHX decoction promoted neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation into neurons.

Research Summary

This study investigates the neuroprotective effects of BSHX decoction on spinal cord injury recovery and the underlying mechanism. BSHX treatment could improve the microenvironment of the injured spinal cord to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery in SCI mice. BSHX decoction improved the microenvironment through invigorating blood circulation to clean blood stasis in the lesion site, reduced tissue damage and neuron loss by suppressing astrocytes reactivation and inhibiting inflammatory response, and promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

BSHX treatment is an effective intervention to improve functional recovery after SCI.

Postoperative Rehabilitation

BSHX decoction can be used in the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury.

Microenvironment Improvement

BSHX improves the spinal cord microenvironment by reducing inflammation and promoting axonal regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
More detailed mechanisms underlying BSHX-mediated NSCs differentiation and axonal regeneration are still needed in further study.
2
Exact mechanism of bioactive ingredients working together in spinal cord injury treatment is still unclear.
3
Not specified

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