title: An experimental comparison of the effects of propolis, curcumin, and methylprednisolone on crush injuries of the sciatic nerve.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Propolis and curcumin have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective features. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of propolis and curcumin on nerve healing in rat sciatic nerve crush injuries and to compare these effects with results obtained using steroid treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the sham group, the right sciatic nerves of rats were dissected and exposed, and the skin was closed without any additional manipulation. In the control group (group C), after the right sciatic nerves of rats were exposed, crush damage was inflicted using a surgical clamp. In the control-methylprednisolone group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. After injury, 1-mg/kg methylprednisolone was administered daily for 6 days and was then tapered for 4 days. In the curcumin group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. Then, 100-mg/kg curcumin was given every day. In the propolis group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. Then, 200-mg/kg propolis was given every day. Rats were evaluated after 28 days using functional (walking track analysis and electrophysiological measurements), histomorphometric, electron microscopic, and muscle weight measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control groups, the curcumin and propolis groups had better functional (walking track analysis and electrophysiological) results after experimental peripheral nerve crush injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin and propolis, 2 traditional drugs, had a positive effect on nerve crush injuries. We are convinced that they can be used to support routine treatment in such nerve injuries.
authors: From the *Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van; †Department of Neurosurgery, and ‡Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Özal University, Ankara; §Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir University, Balıkesir; ∥Department of Pathology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; and ¶Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Yüce
authors: Emre
authors: E
authors: Cemal Gökçe
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Işkdemir
authors: Emine Rabia
authors: ER
authors: Koç
authors: Duran Berker
authors: DB
authors: Cemil
authors: Aysun
authors: A
authors: Gökçe
authors: Mustafa F
authors: MF
authors: Sargon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011429:Propolis; D003474:Curcumin; D008775:Methylprednisolone