Iridoids rich fraction from Valeriana jatamansi Jones promotes axonal regeneration and motor functional recovery after spinal cord injury through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2024 · DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1400927 · Published: May 2, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how a specific part of the Valeriana jatamansi Jones plant, rich in iridoids (IRFV), can help recover motor functions after spinal cord injury (SCI). They used a rat model to see how IRFV affects nerve regeneration after SCI. The research also explores how IRFV enhances nerve regeneration using a cell model of oxidative damage, focusing on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. They used an inhibitor to confirm the molecular mechanism by which IRFV promotes axonal regeneration. The results indicated that IRFV promotes axonal regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

48 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
IRFV significantly enhanced motor function recovery, reduced pathological injury, and facilitated axonal regeneration in SCI rats.
2
In vitro experiments revealed that IRFV improved PC12 cell viability, augmented axonal regeneration, and activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3
The inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway negated the therapeutic benefits of IRFV in SCI rats, confirming its mechanism of action.

Research Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic effect of Iridoid-rich fraction derived from Valeriana jatamansi Jones (IRFV) on spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism, focusing on axonal regeneration and motor function recovery. The researchers used a rat model of SCI and a PC12 cell model of oxidative damage to assess the impact of IRFV and its mechanism of action, employing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 to confirm the molecular pathway. The study concludes that IRFV promotes axonal regeneration and motor function recovery after SCI through the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Valeriana jatamansi Jones (VJJ) and its Iridoid-rich fraction (IRFV) show promise as a therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury (SCI), especially in promoting axonal regeneration.

Signaling Pathway Activation

Activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is a key mechanism through which IRFV exerts its therapeutic effects, suggesting targets for drug development.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

This study provides scientific validation for the use of VJJ, a traditional Chinese medicine, in treating SCI, highlighting the value of integrating TCM into modern medical practices.

Study Limitations

1
Further exploration is needed to identify the specific chemical constituents within IRFV responsible for its pharmacological actions.
2
The mechanism of IRFV's in vivo target activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway remains to be elucidated.
3
The study primarily investigated the therapeutic effects of IRFV without exploring multiple time points to identify the optimal observation window for axon regeneration.

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