Ephedra sinica inhibits complement activation and improves the motor functions after spinal cord injury in rats.
The activation of complement system has been known as an important and significant reaction against the secondary injury after spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ephedra sinica to the inflammation or complement system of injured spinal cord and the influence to the functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats. We prepared the complement-inhibiting component from E. sinica. Contusive spinal cord injury was induced to Sprague-Dawley rats. We administrated the product from E. sinica to E. sinica group, while distilled water was administered to the control group by gavage after SCI. Complement hemolytic activity (CH50), expression of C3 and C9, myeloperoxidase activity, and motor function were evaluated in E. sinica group and control group. The CH50, complement depositions, and myeloperoxidase activity in the E. sinica group were significantly reduced as compared to the control group. The motor function of E. sinica group was significantly improved from the 7th day as compared with the control group. The results demonstrated that E. sinica might reduce inflammation and improve motor function in rats after spinal cord injury by inhibiting complement activation. The present study has shown that complement system is playing an important role in spinal cord injury, and the possibility of a new therapy strategy, inhibiting or controlling the complement activation and inflammation, for spinal cord injury.
Li
Liangman
L
Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
Li
Jingbo
J
Zhu
Yue
Y
Fan
Guangyu
G
D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003186:Complement C9 / Q000032:analysis; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D029790:Ephedra sinica / Q000737:chemistry*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
D003176:Complement C3; D003186:Complement C9; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009195:Peroxidase