BYHWD rescues axotomized neurons and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats

Efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in patients with spinal cord injury: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

There has been growing interest in using the traditional Chinese herb Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI), owing to its long-used treatment for SCI in China. However, the efficacy and safety of BHD treatment for SCI remain widely skeptical. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of BHD in managing SCI.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Sinomed, up to January 1, 2024. Randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating the safety or efficacy of BHD in SCI treatment were included. The analysis focused on 8 critical endpoints: Patient-perceived total clinical effective rate, American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) sensory score, ASIA motor score, somatosensory evoked potential, motor evoked potential, visual analog scale pain score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies comprising 815 participants met the inclusion criteria. No significant heterogeneity or publication bias was observed across the trials. The findings revealed significant improvements in the patient-perceived total clinical effective rate (OR = 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.43, 5.86]; P < .001), ASIA sensory score (mean difference [MD] = 8.22; 95% CI = [5.87, 10.56]; P < .001), ASIA motor score (MD = 7.16; 95% CI = [5.15, 9.18]; P < .001), somatosensory evoked potential (MD = 0.25; 95% CI = [0.03, 0.48]; P = .02), motor evoked potential (MD = 0.30; 95% CI = [0.14, 0.46]; P = .0002), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (MD = 1.99; 95% CI = [0.39, 3.58]; P = .01) in the BHD combination group compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in visual analog scale pain scores (MD = -0.81; 95% CI = [-1.52, -0.11]; P = .02) with BHD combination treatment, without a significant increase in adverse effects (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = [0.33, 1.41]; P = .3).

CONCLUSION

The current evidence suggests that BHD is effective and safe in treating SCI, warranting consideration as a complementary and alternative therapy. However, given the low methodological quality of the included studies, further rigorous research is warranted to validate these findings.

Chinese herbal medicine Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treatment of peripheral nerve injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) resulting from trauma can be severe and permanently disabling, approximately one-third of PNIs demonstrate incomplete recovery and poor functional restoration. However, despite extensive research on this aspect, complete functional recovery remains a challenge. In East Asian countries, Chinese herbal Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) has been used to treat PNI for more than 200 years, and the studies of BHD to treat PNI have been increasing in recent years based on positive clinical outcomes. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to scientifically evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of BHD in patients with PNI.

METHOD

A literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Sinomed databases for randomized controlled clinical trials that evaluated the safety and effects of BHD alone or combination treatment on PNI.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies involving 1415 participants were included in this study. Each trial did not show significant heterogeneity or publication bias. The results showed that significant improvements of the total clinical effective rate (odds ratio = 3.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.62, 4.81]; P < .0001), radial nerve function score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.28; 95% CI = [1.09, 1.47]; P = .007), motor nerve conduction velocity (SMD = 1.59; 95% CI = [1.40, 1.78]; P < .0001), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SMD = 1.69; 95% CI = [1.34, 2.05]; P < .0001), and electromyography amplitude (SMD = 2.67; 95% CI = [1.27, 4.06]; P = .0002), and significantly reduce of the visual analog scale scores (SMD = -3.85; 95% CI = [-7.55, -0.15]; P = .04) in the BHD group compared with the control group. In addition, there were no serious and permanent adverse effects in the 2 groups, the difference was not significant (odds ratio = 1.00; 95% CI = [0.40, 2.50]; P = 1.00).

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that BHD is an effective and safe treatment for PNI and could be treated as a complementary and alternative option with few side effects compared to a single treatment with neurotrophic drugs or electrical stimulation. However, considering the low methodological quality of the included studies, further rigorous studies are required.

Buyang Huanwu decoction improves neural recovery after spinal cord injury in rats through the mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to the interruption of the tracts inside the spinal cord caused by various factors. The repair of damaged axons has always been a difficult point in clinical treatment and neuroscience research. The treatment of SCI with Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD), a well-known recipe for invigorating Qi (a vital force forming part of any living entity in traditional Chinese culture) and promoting blood circulation, shows a good effect.

METHODS

The rubrospinal tract (RST) transection model in rats was established in this study and rats were administrated with low (BL), medium (BM), or high (BH) doses of BYHWD.

RESULTS

Compared with the SCI group, BL, BM moderately, and BH significantly improved the motor function of forelimbs and increased the number of red nucleus neurons in SCI rats. As for the possible molecular mechanism, BL, BM moderately, and BH significantly increased mTOR whereas decreased Beclin-1 and LC3 in the red nucleus.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, low, medium, and high doses of BYHWD could promote neural recovery in SCI rats through improving motor function and neuron survival in the red nucleus. The neuroprotective effects of BYHWD might be associated with affecting the mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy.

Contralateral Axon Sprouting but Not Ipsilateral Regeneration Is Responsible for Spontaneous Locomotor Recovery Post Spinal Cord Hemisection

Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually results in permanent functional impairment and is considered a worldwide medical problem. However, both motor and sensory functions can spontaneously recover to varying extents in humans and animals with incomplete SCI. This study observed a significant spontaneous hindlimb locomotor recovery in Sprague-Dawley rats at four weeks after post-right-side spinal cord hemisection at thoracic 8 (T8). To verify whether the above spontaneous recovery derives from the ipsilateral axonal or neuronal regeneration to reconnect the lesion site, we resected either the scar tissue or right side T7 spinal cord at five weeks post-T8 hemisected injury. The results showed that the spontaneously achieved right hindlimb locomotor function had little change after resection. Furthermore, when T7 left hemisection was performed five weeks after the initial injury, the spontaneously achieved right hindlimb locomotor function was dramatically abolished. A similar result could also be observed when T7 transection was performed after the initial hemisection. The results indicated that it might be the contralateral axonal remolding rather than the ipsilateral axonal or neuronal regeneration beyond the lesion site responsible for the spontaneous hindlimb locomotor recovery. The immunostaining analyses and corticospinal tracts (CSTs) tracing results confirmed this hypothesis. We detected no substantial neuronal and CST regeneration throughout the lesion site; however, significantly more CST fibers were observed to sprout from the contralateral side at the lumbar 4 (L4) spinal cord in the hemisection model rats than in intact ones. In conclusion, this study verified that contralateral CST sprouting, but not ipsilateral CST or neuronal regeneration, is primarily responsible for the spontaneous locomotor recovery in hemisection SCI rats.

BYHWD Alleviates Inflammatory Response by NIK-Mediated Repression of the Noncanonical NF-κB Pathway During ICH Recovery

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a life-threatening type of stroke that lacks effective treatments. The inflammatory response following ICH is a vital response that affects brain repair and organism recovery. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway is considered one of the most important inflammatory response pathways and one of its response pathways, the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway, is known to be associated with persistent effect and chronic inflammation. NF-κB–inducing kinase (NIK) via the noncanonical NF-κB signaling plays a key role in controlling inflammation. Here, we investigated potential effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) on inflammatory response in a rat model of ICH recovery by inhibiting the NIK-mediated the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. In the first part, rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group, the ICH group, and the BYHWD group. ICH was induced in rats by injecting collagenase (type VII) into the right globus pallidus of rats' brain. For the BYHWD group, rats were administered BYHWD (4.36 g/kg) once a day by intragastric administration until they were sacrificed. Neurological function was evaluated in rats by a modified neurological severity score (mNSS), the corner turn test, and the foot-fault test. The cerebral edema showed the degree of inflammatory response by sacrificed brain water content. Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR tested the activity of inflammatory response and noncanonical NF-κB signaling. In the second part, siRNA treatment and assessment of inflammation level as well as alterations in the noncanonical NF-κB signaling were performed to determine whether the effect of BYHWD on inflammatory response was mediated by suppression of NIK via the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. We show that BYHWD treated rats exhibited: (i) better health conditions and better neural functional recovery; (ii) decreased inflammatory cytokine and the edema; (iii) reduced expression of NIK, a key protein in unregulated the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways; (iv) when compared with pretreated rats with NIK targeting (NIK siRNAs), showed the same effect of inhibiting the pathway and decreased inflammatory cytokine. BYHWD can attenuate the inflammatory response during ICH recovery in rats by inhibiting the NIK-mediated noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway.

Deciphering Pharmacological Mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction for Spinal Cord Injury by Network Pharmacology Approach

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of the Chinese herbal formula Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), which is commonly used to treat nerve injuries, in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) using a network pharmacology method.

Methods

BYHWD-related targets were obtained by mining the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases, and SCI-related targets were obtained by mining the DisGeNET, TTD, CTD, GeneCards, and MalaCards databases. The overlapping targets of the abovementioned targets may be potential therapeutic targets for BYHWD anti-SCI. Subsequently, we performed protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, screened the hub genes using Cytoscape software, performed Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and finally achieved molecular docking between the hub proteins and key active compounds.

Results

The 189 potential therapeutic targets for BYHWD anti-SCI were overlapping targets of 744 BYHWD-related targets and 923 SCI-related targets. The top 10 genes obtained subsequently included AKT1, IL6, MAPK1, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, CASP3, ALB, MAPK8, and JUN. Fifteen signaling pathways were also screened out after enrichment analysis and literature search. The results of molecular docking of key active compounds and hub target proteins showed a good binding affinity for both.

Conclusion

This study shows that BYHWD anti-SCI is characterized by a multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway synergy and provides new insights to explore the specific mechanisms of BYHWD against SCI.

Eriodictyol corrects functional recovery and myelin loss in SCI rats

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of eriodictyol (EDC) in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats and also the mechanism involved.

METHODS

The SCI model was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by the weight drop method. The SCI rats were divided into four groups, namely, Sham operated group (submitted for laminectomy only), control rats (vehicle treated), rats treated with 10 mg/kg EDC and rats treated with 20 mg/kg EDC. EDC or vehicle was injected in The SCI rats via subarachnoid route at the lumbar level 4 just after inducing SCI. The open field and inclined plane tests were done for assessing the locomotor activity. Histopathological analysis of the injured site of the spinal cord was done. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical analysis were done for the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GCDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTS

The outcomes suggested that EDC-treated rats showed significant improvement in the locomotor activity and also exhibited low myelin loss. The rats also showed overexpression of Bcl-2 and Bax. The treatment of EDC also increased the levels of GCDNF and BDNF after SCI. These outcomes suggested that EDC exerted the neuroprotective effect and also improved the locomotor activity by improving the levels of GCDNF and BDNF and blocking the apoptosis-related proteins.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that EDC could ameliorate the locomotor function, and the neuroprotective action may be attributed to modulation of GCDNF and BDNF and blockade of apoptosis-associated proteins.

Chinese Herbal Medicine in Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic disease associated with damaged neurological structures and has become a significant social and economic burden for the health care system and patients’ families. The use of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) to treat SCI has been increasing in recent years. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CHM for patients with SCI. Therefore, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CHM for SCI in seven databases. A total of 26 studies involving 1961 participants were included in this study. No serious heterogeneity or publication bias was observed across each study. The results showed that significant improvements of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-grading improvement rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), clinical effective rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA motor score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (total) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (light touch) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (pinprick) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), and activities of daily living (ADL) score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) in CHM group compared with the control group. Among the CHM groups, Buyang Huanwu decoction was the most frequently prescribed herbal formula, while Astragalus membranaceus was the most commonly used single herb. In addition, there were no serious and permanent adverse effects in the two groups. The methodological quality of the most included RCTs was poor and the quality of evidence for the main outcomes was from very low to moderate according to the GRADE system. Current evidence suggests that CHM is an effective and safe treatment for SCI and could be treated as a complementary and alternative option with few side effects. However, considering the low quality, small size, and high risk of the studies identified in this meta-analysis, higher methodological quality, rigorously designed RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.

Understanding the multi-herbal composition of Buyang Huanwu Decoction: A review for better clinical use

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a multi-herbal composition commonly prescribed in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Although studies have been conducted at the cellular (in vitro), animal and human (in vivo) level, there was no detailed analysis on how the composition and proportion of BHD is modified according to target diseases.

AIM OF STUDY

The purpose of this study is to investigate the composition and proportion of each herb in BHD to summarize how the original BHD was modified according to the target disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic literature searches were performed in three databases, collecting sixty-eight studies for the final analysis. The studies were divided into three types: cell studies, animal experiments and clinical trial. In the analysis, the decoction formula including the composition and the weight proportion of the herbs in BHD used in the studies and the target diseases were examined.

RESULTS

The result showed that in cell studies, the targets were mostly cell differentiation, cell injury and immune activation. In animal studies, cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral ischemia were the most identified target diseases followed by nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. While the proportions of the herbs in BHD used in these studies were in general similar to the original formula, some studies reduced the amount of Astragali Radix to half of the original amount. Modified BHDs were used in four studies for cerebrovascular and peripheral nerve diseases. However, no significant correlation has been observed between the target diseases and the change of the proportion of the herbs in BHD.

CONCLUSIONS

The most commonly used formula was the original composition of BHD, and modified BHDs were reported to be used to treat cerebrovascular and nervous diseases. Further studies about the effects of BHD by composition and proportion of herbs are needed in the future.

Research progress in use of traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious central nervous system disorder caused by trauma that has gradually become a major challenge in clinical medical research. As an important branch of worldwide medical research, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is rapidly moving towards a path of reform and innovation. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews research related to existing TCM treatments for SCI, with the aims of identifying deficits and shortcomings within the field, and proposing feasible alternative prospects.

METHODS

All data and conclusions in this paper were obtained from articles published by peers in relevant fields. PubMed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for relevant articles. Results regarding TCM for SCI were identified and retrieved, then manually classified and selected for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

The literature search identified a total of 652 articles regarding TCM for SCI. Twenty-eight treatments (16 active ingredients, nine herbs, and three compound prescriptions) were selected from these articles; the treatments have been used for the prevention and treatment of SCI. In general, these treatments involved antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and/or antiapoptotic effects of TCM compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper showed that TCM treatments can serve as promising auxiliary therapies for functional recovery of patients with SCI. These findings will contribute to the development of diversified treatments for SCI.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction

Methods

A cytotoxicity assay for BHD was performed using the MTT assay. Following treatment with BHD, mBHD-1, and mBHD-2 in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nitric oxide (NO) secretion was detected in cell supernatants using a NO detection kit. The expression of proinflammatory mediators was detected using RT-PCR and western blotting. To verify the mechanism of mBHD, specific inhibitors of JNK (SP600125) or p38 (SB203580) were used for co-treatment with mBHD, and then the changes in NO and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured.

Results

Both mBHD-1 and mBHD-2 showed greater anti-inflammatory effects than BHD. Both mBHD-1 and mBHD-2 inhibited NO secretion and decreased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. Treatment with a p38 inhibitor and a JNK inhibitor in mBHD-1- and mBHD-2-treated cells resulted in inhibition of NO and iNOS.

Conclusion

We provided the first experimental evidence that mBHD may be a more useful anti-inflammatory than BHD. High concentrations or long-term use of BHD may be harmful to inflammatory status. Therefore, the length of treatment and concentration should be considered depending on the targeted disease.

MRI Evaluation of Axonal Remodeling After Combination Treatment With Xiaoshuan Enteric-Coated Capsule and Enriched Environment in Rats After Ischemic Stroke

Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsule (XSEC) is a compound Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Enriched environment (EE) is a rehabilitative intervention designed to facilitate physical, cognitive, and social activity after brain injury. This study aimed to assess whether the XSEC and EE combination could provide synergistic efficacy in axonal remodeling compared to that with a single treatment after ischemic stroke using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by histological analysis. Rats were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with XSEC and EE alone or in combination for 30 days. T2-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to examine the infarct volume and axonal remodeling, respectively. The co-localization of Ki67 with NG2 or CNPase was examined by immunofluorescence staining to assess oligodendrogenesis. The expressions of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and growth inhibitors NogoA/Nogo receptor (NgR)/RhoA/Rho-associated kinase2 (ROCK2) were measured using western blot and qRT-PCR. The Morris water maze (MWM) was performed to evaluate the cognitive function. MRI and histological measurements indicated XSEC and EE individually benefited axonal reorganization after stroke. Notably, XSEC + EE decreased infarct volume compared with XSEC or EE monotherapy and increased ipsilateral residual volume compared with vehicle group. DTI showed XSEC + EE robustly increased fractional anisotropy while decreased axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity in the injured cortex, striatum, and external capsule. Meanwhile, diffusion tensor tractography revealed XSEC + EE elevated fiber density in the cortex and external capsule and increased fiber length in the striatum and external capsule compared with the monotherapies. These MRI measurements, confirmed by histology, showed that XSEC + EE promoted axonal restoration. Additionally, XSEC + EE amplified oligodendrogenesis, decreased the expressions of NogoA/NgR/RhoA/ROCK2, and increased the expression of GAP-43 in the peri-infarct tissues. In parallel to these findings, rats treated with XSEC + EE exhibited higher cognitive recovery than those treated with XSEC or EE monotherapy, as evidenced by MWM test. Taken together, our data implicated that XSEC + EE exerted synergistic effects on alleviating atrophy and encouraging axonal reorganization partially by promoting oligodendrogenesis and overcoming intrinsic growth-inhibitory signaling, thereby facilitating higher cognitive recovery.

Cell Chromatography-Based Screening of the Active Components in Buyang Huanwu Decoction Promoting Axonal Regeneration

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD), a popular formulation prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of ischemic stroke, has been reported to have a potential role in promoting axonal regeneration. The purpose of the study was to screen and identify bioactive compounds from BHD using live PC12 cells coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Using this approach, we successfully identified six bioactive components from BHD. These components have protective effects on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury to PC12 cells. Furthermore, calycosin-7-d-glucoside (CG) and formononetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (FG) could upregulate the protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This study suggests that living cells combined with HPLC-MS/MS can be used for the screening of active ingredients in TCMs.

Identify the Key Active Ingredients and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Compound XiongShao Capsule in Treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Network Pharmacology Approach

Compound XiongShao Capsule (CXSC), a traditional herb mixture, has shown significant clinical efficacy against diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). However, its multicomponent and multitarget features cause difficulty in deciphering its molecular mechanisms. Our study aimed to identify the key active ingredients and potential pharmacological mechanisms of CXSC in treating DPN by network pharmacology and provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy. CXSC active ingredients were identified from both the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database, with parameters of oral bioavailability ≥ 30% and drug-likeness ≥ 0.18, and the Herbal Ingredients' Targets (HIT) database. The targets of those active ingredients were identified using ChemMapper based on 3D-structure similarity and using HIT database. DPN-related genes were acquired from microarray dataset GSE95849 and five widely used databases (TTD, Drugbank, KEGG, DisGeNET, and OMIM). Next, we obtained candidate targets with therapeutic effects against DPN by mapping active ingredient targets and DPN-related genes and identifying the proteins interacting with those candidate targets using STITCH 5.0. We constructed an “active ingredients-candidate targets-proteins” network using Cytoscape 3.61 and identified key active ingredients and key targets in the network. We identified 172 active ingredients in CXSC, 898 targets of the active ingredients, 110 DPN-related genes, and 38 candidate targets with therapeutic effects against DPN. Three key active ingredients, namely, quercetin, kaempferol, and baicalein, and 25 key targets were identified. Next, we input all key targets into ClueGO plugin for KEGG enrichment and molecular function analyses. The AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and MAP kinase activity were determined as the main KEGG pathway and molecular function involved, respectively. We determined quercetin, kaempferol, and baicalein as the key active ingredients of CXSC and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and MAP kinase activity as the main pharmacological mechanisms of CXSC against DPN, proving the clinical efficacy of CXSC against DPN.

Buyang huanwu decoction combined with BMSCs transplantation promotes recovery after spinal cord injury by rescuing axotomized red nucleus neurons

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a classic recipe in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to supplement Qi and activate blood. It has been used to recover the neural function after the injury of central nervous system for hundreds of years in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated whether Buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWD) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation had synergistic effect on neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rubrospinal tract (RST) transection model was established and BMSCs were collected. The forelimb locomotor function was recorded using inclined plate test and spontaneous vertical exploration. cAMP level in red nucleus was detected with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphology and number of red nucleus neurons was observed using Nissl's staining. Expression of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in red nucleus was detected using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western-blotting.

RESULTS

The combination of BYHWD and BMSCs transplantation could improve the forelimb locomotor function significantly and give the red nucleus somas a better protection. Meanwhile, cAMP level, CREB and NGF increased, while RhoA decreased remarkably in the BYHWD+BMSCs group.

CONCLUSIONS

BYHWD combined with BMSCs transplantation had synergistic effect on neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after SCI; the mechanism may be related to up-regulating cAMP level, activating the cAMP/CREB/RhoA signaling pathway, and promoting expression of NGF.

Facilitating effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction on axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve transection

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional Asian medicine, Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Recent experimental studies have begun to provide evidence on the protective effects of BYHWD on injured peripheral nerves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine whether BYHWD was effective in inducing axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve transection, and if so, how it acted on the nerve.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sciatic nerve in rats was transected and resutured 0, 1, or 4 weeks later. BYHWD was orally administered daily into the animals with nerve transection and coaptation (NTC). Axonal regeneration was measured by immunofluorescence staining of NF-200 and superior cervical ganglion 10 (SCG10) and by retrograde tracing method. Changes of protein levels in the sciatic nerve were analyzed by western blot analysis. Effects of BYHWD and its constituents on neurite outgrowth were analyzed in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Hot plate and treadmill training tests were performed to assess the levels of functional recovery after nerve injury.

RESULTS

The rate of axonal regeneration was attenuated by delayed coaptation after transection, but improved by BYHWD treatment. Levels of phospho-Erk1/2 and Cdc2 phosphorylation of vimentin, measured as indicators of the activation of regenerating axons and supportive Schwann cells, were increased in the sciatic nerve of NTC animals, and their distribution in the proximal and distal nerves were affected by BYHWD treatment. Treatment of BYHWD during the period of chronic denervation significantly increased axonal regeneration when analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and retrograde tracing methods. Neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons cocultured with Schwann cells from the chronically transected sciatic nerves was enhanced by BYHWD treatment. Radix Paeoniae Rubra induced neurite outgrowth most efficiently among all herbal constituents of BYHWD. Finally, hot plate and treadmill training tests demonstrated that BYHWD administration significantly improved the sensorimotor nerve function in NTC animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that BYHWD treatment may contribute to the timely interaction between regenerating axons and distal Schwann cells in the transected nerve and facilitate axonal regeneration.

Cerebral ischemia and neuroregeneration

Cerebral ischemia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although stroke (a form of cerebral ischemia)-related costs are expected to reach 240.67 billion dollars by 2030, options for treatment against cerebral ischemia/stroke are limited. All therapies except anti-thrombolytics (i.e., tissue plasminogen activator) and hypothermia have failed to reduce neuronal injury, neurological deficits, and mortality rates following cerebral ischemia, which suggests that development of novel therapies against stroke/cerebral ischemia are urgently needed. Here, we discuss the possible mechanism(s) underlying cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury, as well as current and future novel therapies (i.e., growth factors, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, melatonin, resveratrol, protein kinase C isozymes, pifithrin, hypothermia, fatty acids, sympathoplegic drugs, and stem cells) as it relates to cerebral ischemia.

Upregulation of glutamate metabolism by BYHWD in cultured astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in part depends on the activation of p38 MAPK

Recent studies have demonstrated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) decreased glutamate levels subsequent to cerebral ischemia. Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) and glutamine synthetase (GS), which are located in astrocytes, mainly contribute to glutamate transportation, thus reducing glutamate concentration. BYHWD has previously been demonstrated to upregulate GLT-1 and GS following ischemia in vivo. However, whether BYHWD can directly influence astrocytic GLT-1/GS levels remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of BYHWD containing serum (BYHWD-CS) on GLT-1/GS levels in astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) was investigated. The results revealed that BYHWD-CS enhanced the expression levels of GLT-1 and GS in cultured astrocytes, which reduced glutamate concentration in the culture medium. Meanwhile, increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was phosphorylated (activation form) by BYHWD-CS in cultured astrocytes, and the specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 blocked the increase of GLT-1/GS accompanied by decreased cell viability. Furthermore, SB203580 suppressed the effect of BYHWD-CS on the level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (an astrocytic marker), thus confirming that astrocytes are directly involved in the protective role of BYHWD after OGD/R. These findings suggest that BYHWD upregulates GLT-1 and GS via p38 MAPK activation, and protects cultured astrocytes from death caused by OGD/R (typical in vitro model), which complemented the role of astrocytes in the protective effect of BYHWD.

Enhanced axonal regeneration of the injured sciatic nerve by administration of Buyang Huanwu decoction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) has been used in the traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological symptoms, and recent experimental studies have begun to provide evidence showing its protective effects on neural cells. Yet, its function for the regenerative responses of axons in the peripheral nerve after injury is not known.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of the present study was to explore that BYHWD is involved in growth-promoting activity of the peripheral nerve axons after injury. We further examined whether the effect of BYHWD exerted directly on regrowing axons or Schwann cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sciatic nerves in rats were given crush injury, and BYHWD was injected by oral administration. Sciatic nerves or DRG tissues were prepared for immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Levels of axonal regeneration were quantified by retrograde tracing technique. Cultured DRG sensory neurons and Schwann cells were prepared from rats and used to examine the effects of BYHWD on the neurite outgrowth. Behavioral analysis on functional recovery after nerve injury was assessed in mice by pin prick test, adhesive removal test, and toe-spreading reflex.

RESULTS

Immunofluorescence and retrograde tracing analyses showed that the distal extension of the sciatic nerve axons was significantly improved by BYHWD treatment. Levels of axonal growth-associated protein GAP-43 were upregulated by BYHWD treatment in the sciatic nerve after injury and in the neurites of cultured DRG neurons. In vivo administration of BYHWD in rats upregulated the induction level of cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) and its phosphorylation of vimentin in Schwann cells from injured sciatic nerve. Coculture of DRG neurons with Schwann cells prepared from preinjured sciatic nerves in animals administered with BYHWD led to the enhancement in neurite outgrowth. Behavioral tests in mice given sciatic nerve injury showed a significant improvement in sensorimotor activity by BYHWD administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that BYHWD administration into animals given sciatic nerve injury facilitates axonal regeneration by acting on both the axons undergoing regeneration and neighboring Schwann cells and improves functional recovery.

Cornel Iridoid Glycoside Improves Locomotor Impairment and Decreases Spinal Cord Damage in Rats

Purpose. This study was to investigate the effects of cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods. The thoracic cord (at T9) of rats was injured by clip compression for 30 sec. Locomotor function was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale. Neuroanatomic stereological parameters as well as Nogo-A, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), and ROCKII expression were measured by histological processing, immunohistochemistry, and stereological analyses. The axons passing through the lesion site were detected by BDA tracing. Results. Intragastric administration of CIG (60 and 180 mg/kg) improved the locomotor impairment at 10, 17, 24, and 31 days post-injury (dpi) compared with untreated SCI model rats. CIG treatment decreased the volume of the lesion epicenter (LEp) and increased the volume of spared tissue and the number of surviving neurons in the injured spinal cord at 31 dpi. CIG promoted the growth of BDA-positive axons and their passage through the lesion site and decreased the expression of Nogo-A, p75NTR, and ROCKII both in and around the LEp. Conclusion. CIG improved the locomotor impairment, decreased tissue damage, and downregulated the myelin-associated inhibition signaling pathway in SCI rats. The results suggest that CIG may be beneficial for SCI therapy.

Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Spinal Cord Injury: A Promising Supplementary Treatment in Future

Objective. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder caused by trauma. Pathophysiological events occurring after SCI include acute, subacute, and chronic phases, while complex mechanisms are comprised. As an abundant source of natural drugs, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attracts much attention in SCI treatment recently. Hence, this review provides an overview of pathophysiology of SCI and TCM application in its therapy. Methods. Information was collected from articles published in peer-reviewed journals via electronic search (PubMed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI), as well as from master's dissertations, doctoral dissertations, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Results. Both active ingredients and herbs could exert prevention and treatment against SCI, which is linked to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, or antiapoptosis effects. The detailed information of six active natural ingredients (i.e., curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, ligustrazine, quercitrin, and puerarin) and five commonly used herbs (i.e., Danshen, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Notoginseng, and Astragali Radix) was elucidated and summarized. Conclusions. As an important supplementary treatment, TCM may provide benefits in repair of injured spinal cord. With a general consensus that future clinical approaches will be diversified and a combination of multiple strategies, TCM is likely to attract greater attention in SCI treatment.

Neuroprotective effects of the Buyang Huanwu decoction on functional recovery in rats following spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

The Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription and has been used in China to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) for hundreds of years. Clinical trials have shown that BYHWD improves the outcome of SCI in clinical trials, but the mechanisms are not known. This study observed the neuroprotective effects of BYHWD on spinal nerve cells after SCI and investigated possible mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty female Wistar rats were randomized equally to four groups treated by sham injury, SCI, BYHWD, or methylprednisolone (MP). The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate hind-limb locomotor function. Neuron apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS

In the sham group, walking was mildly abnormal after anesthesia but recovered completely in 2 days. The BBB score in the SCI model group was significantly different from that in the sham group. The BBB scores of rats in both the BYHWD and MP groups were significantly higher than scores of rats in the SCI group. BYHWD had an antiapoptosis effect, as shown by significant decreases in expression of caspase-3 and Bax and increase in Bcl-2 expression.

CONCLUSION

BYHWD treatment restored hind-limb motor function of rats with SCI. The neuroprotective effect of BYHWD was associated with modulation of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins.

Buyang Huanwu decoction up-regulates Notch1 gene expression in injured spinal cord

Expression of genes in the Notch signaling pathway is altered in the injured spinal cord, which indicates that Notch participates in repair after spinal cord injury. Buyang Huanwu decoction, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation, can promote the growth of nerve cells and nerve fibers; however, it is unclear whether Buyang Huanwu decoction affects the Notch signaling pathway in injured spinal cord. In this study, a rat model was established by injuring the T10 spinal cord. At 2 days after injury, rats were intragastrically administered 2 mL of 0.8 g/mL Buyang Huanwu decoction daily until sacrifice. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that at 7, 14 and 28 days after injury, the expression of Notch1 was increased in the Buyang Huanwu decoction group compared with controls. These findings confirm that Buyang Huanwu decoction can promote the expression of Notch1 in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury, and may indicate a mechanism to promote the repair of spinal cord injury.

Buyang Huanwu decoction increases the expression of glutamate transporter-1 and glutamate synthetase in association with PACAP-38 following focal ischemia

The neuroprotective role of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) in focal ischemia is associated with decreasing glutamate concentration. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study aimed to explore whether glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) and glutamine synthetase (GS) participated in the decreased level of glutamate and whether pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) was involved in this process. BYHWD was found to significantly upregulate the expression of GLT-1 and GS in the hippocampal CA1 area compared to the ischemia group, with the difference on day 3 being most significant. BYHWD increased the level of PACAP-38, and PACAP-(6-38) (PACAP receptor antagonist) significantly attenuated the effect of BYHWD on GLT-1 and GS, suggesting that PACAP-38 was involved in the upregulation of GLT-1 and GS induced by BYHWD. In addition, as GLT-1 and GS are mainly located in astrocytes, the changes of astrocytes were detected by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; an astrocytic marker) immunostaining. The results showed that BYHWD inhibited the expression of GFAP compared with the ischemia group, however, co-administration with PACAP-(6-38), which inhibited the effect of BYHWD on GLT-1 and GS in astrocytes, attenuated this effect, indicating that astrocytes participated in the protective role of BYHWD following focal ischemia. These results provided the evidence for the first time that not only neurons but also astrocytes contribute to the protective role of BYHWD, which opposes previous studies and may be a starting point for traditional medicine.

Synergistic effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction and embryonic neural stem cell transplantation on the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of spinal cord injury

The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of a combined treatment of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), a well-known formula of traditional Chinese medicine, and neural stem cells (NSCs) on spinal cord injury (SCI) and the associated underlying mechanisms. A SCI model was established by surgery via a complete transection of the T10 vertebra of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Gelatin sponges were used to absorb NSCs labeled with the thymidine analog, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and were transferred into the transected spinal cords. BYHWD was administered once a day by introgastric infusion. Motor functions of the hind limbs were evaluated using the 21-point locomotor rating scale developed by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB). The fate of the transplanted NSCs under the various conditions was examined by double immunofluorescence staining, using markers for neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, with BrdU. Ultrastructural changes of the SCI site following the various treatments were examined under a transmission electron microscope. The number of double positive cells for glial fibrillary acidic protein and BrdU in the BYHWD + NSC group was significantly decreased when compared with that in the NSC group (P<0.05). However, the number of cells that were labeled double positive for myelin basic protein and BrdU, as well as neuron specific enolase and BrdU, was greater in the BYHWD + NSC group when compared with the NSC group. Electron microscopy demonstrated that treatment with BYHWD combined with NSCs significantly alleviated demyelination. Results from the BBB motor function test exhibited a significant improvement in the BYHWD + NSC group when compared with the SCI, BYHWD and NSC only groups. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the traditional Chinese medicine formula, BYHWD, exerted an effect on the differentiation and migration of NSCs. Combining the administration of BYHWD with NSCs was shown to have a synergistic effect on the recovery of neurological function, mitigating the progress of demyelination or ameliorating the recovery of myelination.

Neuroprotective effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction on cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal damage

Among the various treatment methods for stroke, increasing attention has been paid to traditional Chinese medicines. Buyang Huanwu decoction is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of stroke. This paper summarizes the active components of the Chinese herb, which is composed of Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), Danggui (Radix Angelica sinensis), Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong), Honghua (Flos Carthami), Taoren (Semen Persicae) and Dilong (Pheretima), and identifies the therapeutic targets and underlying mechanisms that contribute to the neuroprotective properties of Buyang Huanwu decoction.

Buyang Huanwu Decoction () reduces infarct volume and enhances estradiol and estradiol receptor concentration in ovariectomized rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (, BYHWD) on estradiol (E2) and estradiol receptor (ER) in serum and brain in ovariectomized rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

METHODS

Adult female rats were ovariectomized and focal cerebral ischemic was induced by MCAO. Rats were randomly divided into normal, ovariectomy (OVX), MCAO, OVX+MCAO, OVX+MCAO+E2, and OVX+MCAO+BYHWD group. Rats were administered BYHWD 5 g/kg daily, estradiol valerate 500 μg/kg per day or distilled water for 7 consecutive days. Neuronal function and infarct volume were measured on day 7 after artery occlusion, and E2 and ER concentration in serum and brain were checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

BYHWD significantly improved the neurological behavior, reduced the infarction volume, increased E2 concentration in serum and brain, and increased ER concentration in the brain in ovariectomized rats after MCAO.

CONCLUSION

The neuroprotective effects of BYHWD are associated with estrogen and its receptor.

Identification of metabolites of Buyang Huanwu decoction in rat urine using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In the present study, rapid resolution liquid chromatography was coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) to identify the absorbed components and metabolites in rat urine after oral administration of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD). After oral administration of BYHWD, urine samples were collected and pretreated by solid phase extraction. The mass measurements were accurate within 5 ppm of error for all the protonated molecules, and subsequent fragment ions offered higher quality structural information for interpretation of the fragmentation pathways of various compounds. A total of 50 compounds were detected in rat urine samples within 20 min, including 12 parent compounds and 38 metabolites. Except for three prototype components (Hydroxysafflor yellow A, Paeoniflorin, and Amygdalin), the metabolites identified mainly came from Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Rhizoma Chuanxiong. The results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfation were the major metabolic pathways of isoflavonoids, while glutathione conjugation, glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic pathways of phthalides. No saponin-related metabolites were detected. The present study provided important structural information on the metabolism of BYHWD. Furthermore, the results of this work have demonstrated the feasibility of the RRLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS approach for rapid and reliable characterization of metabolites from herbal medicines.

Neuroprotective effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats--time window and mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buyang Huanwu Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, consists of different herbal medicines, and has been traditionally used for centuries to treat paralysis and stroke. However, its optimal therapeutic time window and the mechanism are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to explore the therapeutic time window and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Middle cerebral artery occlusion was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and 40g/kg of Buyang Huanwu Decoction was intragastrically infused at different time points, and the same dose was infused every 24h for 3 days. The level of glutamate in cerebrospinal fluid and the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 RNA in striatum were detected before, during, and after ischemia/reperfusion. Neurological deficit scores and brain infarction volumes were measured at 72h after reperfusion.

RESULT

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion resulted in significant neurological deficit and extensive cerebral infarct volume, associated with a large amount of glutamate in cerebrospinal fluid and elevation of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 RNA expression. Buyang Huanwu Decoction significantly suppressed the release of glutamate, and reduced the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 RNA. The neurological defect score and infarction volume were significantly improved by administration of Buyang Huanwu Decoction, when compared with the Ischemia group.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of Buyang Huanwu Decoction, within 4h of post-transient focal stroke, reduced significant cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage. The neuroprotective mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction is, in part, associated with the down-regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 RNA and inhibition of glutamate release resulting from cerebral ischemia.

Neuroprotective effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative injury in Schwann cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine and can be used to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. However the regenerative mechanism of BYHWD remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective mechanisms of BYHWD in Schwann cells damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Schwann cells which were derived from neonatal sciatic nerves of rats were used in subsequent experiments. Schwann cells were injured by various concentrations of H(2)O(2) (0.25, 0.5 and 1mM final concentration). BYHWD (600 μg/ml final concentration) was added to the medium either simultaneously or 1h later after the addition of H(2)O(2). Subsequently, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also examined after 12h. The expression of Caspase 3 and the concentration of intercellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) were also determined.

RESULTS

Among three concentrations of H(2)O(2), 0.5mM H(2)O(2) induced Schwann cells swelled and neuritis disappeared after 12h. In the presence of BYHWD, MTT assay showed that more cells were viable in comparison with the H(2)O(2) injury group. Moreover, the addition of BYHWD has also increased the SOD activity with decreased in MDA level. Furthermore, the concentration of [Ca(2+)]i and expression of Caspase 3 were decreased with the addition of BYHWD in culture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that BYHWD protected Schwann cells from oxidative injury. The mechanism of BYHWD promoting neural regeneration possibly associated with its anti-oxidative activity.

The red nucleus and the rubrospinal projection in the mouse

We studied the organization and spinal projection of the mouse red nucleus with a range of techniques (Nissl stain, immunofluorescence, retrograde tracer injections into the spinal cord, anterograde tracer injections into the red nucleus, and in situ hybridization) and counted the number of neurons in the red nucleus (3,200.9 ± 230.8). We found that the rubrospinal neurons were mainly located in the parvicellular region of the red nucleus, more lateral in the rostral part and more medial in the caudal part. Labeled neurons were least common in the rostral and caudal most parts of the red nucleus. Neurons projecting to the cervical cord were predominantly dorsomedially placed and neurons projecting to the lumbar cord were predominantly ventrolaterally placed. Immunofluorescence staining with SMI-32 antibody showed that ~60% of SMI-32-positive neurons were cervical cord-projecting neurons and 24% were lumbar cord-projecting neurons. SMI-32-positive neurons were mainly located in the caudomedial part of the red nucleus. A study of vGluT2 expression showed that the number and location of glutamatergic neurons matched with those of the rubrospinal neurons. In the anterograde tracing experiments, rubrospinal fibers travelled in the dorsal portion of the lateral funiculus, between the lateral spinal nucleus and the calretinin-positive fibers of the lateral funiculus. Rubrospinal fibers terminated in contralateral laminae 5, 6, and the dorsal part of lamina 7 at all spinal cord levels. A few fibers could be seen next to the neurons in the dorsolateral part of lamina 9 at levels of C8-T1 (hand motor neurons) and L5-L6 (foot motor neurons), which is consistent with a view that rubrospinal fibers may play a role in distal limb movement in rodents.

Protective effects of chinese traditional medicine buyang huanwu decoction on myocardial injury

Many clinical studies have reported that Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) has a protective effect on ischemic heart disease (IHD). In the present study, the protective effect of BYHWD on myocardial ischemia was investigated. Different doses of BYHWD and Compound Danshen Dropping Pills (CDDP) were lavaged to rats, respectively, isoproterenol (ISO) was intraperitoneally injected in to all animals to induce myocardial ischemia except the control group. Electrocardiogram (ECG) of each animal was recorded; activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were detected. As the results of ECG showed, pre-treatment with BYHWD inhibited ischemic myocardial injury, and the activities of LDH, CK and AST were lower than those in the myocardial ischemia model group, which suggests that BYHWD rescues the myocardium from ischemia status. To research the potential mechanism, the level of nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide syntheses (NOS) and inducible nitric oxide syntheses (iNOS), the expression of iNOS and ligand of cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40L) were detected. The results revealed that BYHWD significantly decreased the level of NO, NOS and iNOS in serum. Moreover, BYHWD decreased the expression of iNOS and CD40L in myocardial tissues. These results indicate that the protective effect of BYHWD on myocardial ischemia and mechanism are associated with inhibition of iNOS and CD40L expression.

The roles of buyang huanwu decoction in anti-inflammation, antioxidation and regulation of lipid metabolism in rats with myocardial ischemia

Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) is a well-known Chinese medicine formula. Recent studies have reported that BYHWD can be used to treat ischemic heart disease. This study investigated the potential mechanism underlying the roles of BYHWD in alleviating the myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol (ISO) in rats. Different doses of BYHWD (25.68, 12.84 and 6.42 g kg⁻¹) were lavaged to rats, respectively. Then the expression of the cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) in the mononuclear cells was measured using flow cytometry, and the expressions of CD40 and its ligand (CD40L) in myocardial tissues were determined by western blotting. The serum biochemical values of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the free fatty acid (FFA) content were measured. The results showed that the SOD activities of BYHWD groups were significantly higher than that of the ISO group, while the MDA levels and FFA contents of all BYHWD groups were lower than that of the ISO group. BYHWD could decrease the expression of CD40 in the mononuclear cells and the CD40 and CD40L expressions in myocardial tissues. Our data suggest that the roles of BYHWD are not only related to its antioxidative action and regulation of lipid metabolisms, but also to the inhibition of inflammatory pathway by the decreased CD40 and CD40L expressions in rats with myocardial ischemia.

Neuroprotective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, on spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and explore the possible mechanism of the protective effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury model was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and 40 g/kg Buyang Huanwu Decoction was administered by introgastric infusion. Motor function of hind limbs and apoptosis index were measured 72 h after reperfusion was started. The expression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase was examined at 6h and at 24h after reperfusion.

RESULTS

Motor function scores and apoptosis indices were significantly improved in the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, as compared to the saline-infused control group. Spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury resulted in a decrease in the expression of thioredoxin, while Buyang Huanwu Decoction administration greatly elevated the expression of thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-2 mRNA and thioredoxin reductase-1/thioredoxin reductase-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that administration of Buyang Huanwu Decoction may reduce spinal ischemia/reperfusion damage. This neuroprotective effect may be mediated, in part, by an increase in the transcription of thioredoxin.