title: A novel use of genipin-fixed gelatin as extracellular matrix for peripheral nerve regeneration.
abstract: Application of combining herbal medicine and biomedical material science to nerve regeneration is a new approach. In this study, we describe a novel use of purified genipin, which can be extracted from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, fixing the gelatin to be an extracellular matrix for peripheral nerve regeneration. A 10-mm gap of rat sciatic nerve was created between the proximal and distal nerve stumps, which were sutured into silicone rubber tubes filled with either the genipin-fixed gelatin or collagen gel. Silicone rubber tubes filled with saline were used as controls. Six weeks after implantation, regeneration across the nerve gaps occurred in 80 and 90% of the animals from the groups of genipin-fixed gelatin and collagen, respectively, whereas only 30% in the control group. Large numbers of myelinated axons were also seen in the genipin-fixed gelatin (5104 +/- 3278) and the collagen groups (8063 +/- 1807). These findings indicated that the genipin-fixed gelatin could be an acceptable extracellular matrix for nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Technology, Chungtai Institute of Health Science and Technology, Taichang, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bai-Shuan
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Hsu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Shan-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Tsung-Shu
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Yueh-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shung-Te
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011714:Pyrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D011714:Pyrans; D005780:Gelatin; C007834:genipin