Jisuikang, a Chinese herbal formula, increases neurotrophic factor expression and promotes the recovery of neurological function after spinal cord injury

This study investigates the effects of Jisuikang (JSK), a Chinese herbal formula, on spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in rats. The researchers hypothesized that JSK could help prevent secondary spinal cord injury by influencing the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Prednisolone (PED) was used as a positive control. A rat model of acute SCI was established, and the rats were treated with different doses of JSK or prednisolone. The motor function recovery was assessed using behavioral tests, and the spinal cord tissue was examined using various techniques to evaluate the expression of NGF and BDNF. The study found that JSK, particularly at a moderate dose, can upregulate BDNF and NGF expression for a prolonged period after spinal cord injury, similar to prednisolone. This suggests that JSK can promote the repair of acute spinal cord injury.

• 1
  Moderate-dose Jisuikang group showed the best recovery at 14 days post-injury, as assessed by Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores and the oblique board test.
• 2
  Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the survival rate of neurons in treatment groups increased after 3–7 days of administration, with more distinct neuron and glial cell structure, particularly in prednisolone and moderate-dose Jisuikang groups.
• 3
  Jisuikang can upregulate BDNF and NGF expression for a prolonged period after spinal cord injury and promote repair of acute spinal cord injury, with its effect being similar to prednisolone.