Catalpol as a Component of Rehmannia glutinosa Protects Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Neuronal Apoptosis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to motor and sensory dysfunction of the lower limbs. Rehmannia glutinosa, a traditional Chinese medicine, is used in neurodegenerative diseases. Catalpol (CAT), an extract of Rehmannia glutinosa, has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects and can treat SCI by inhibiting ER stress-mediated neuronal apoptosis.

• 1
  CAT has a restorative effect on the lower limb motor function of rats with SCI.
• 2
  CAT inhibits apoptosis and protects neurons by reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.
• 3
  CAT reduces ER stress by inhibiting CHOP and GRP78 expression, thus reducing apoptosis and protecting neurons through the Caspase3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathway.