title: Local administration of icariin contributes to peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
abstract: Our previous study showed that systemic administration of the traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium extract promotes peripheral nerve regeneration. Here, we sought to explore the therapeutic effects of local administration of icariin, a major component of Epimedium extract, on peripheral nerve regeneration. A poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) biological conduit sleeve was used to bridge a 5 mm right sciatic nerve defect in rats, and physiological saline, nerve growth factor, icariin suspension, or nerve growth factor-releasing microsphere suspension was injected into the defect. Twelve weeks later, sciatic nerve conduction velocity and the number of myelinated fibers were notably greater in the rats treated with icariin suspension or nerve growth factor-releasing microspheres than those that had received nerve growth factor or physiological saline. The effects of icariin suspension were similar to those of nerve growth factor-releasing microspheres. These data suggest that icariin acts as a nerve growth factor-releasing agent, and indicate that local application of icariin after spinal injury can promote peripheral nerve regeneration.
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Chen
authors: Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Su-Ping
authors: SP
authors: Niu
authors: Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Zhi-Yong
authors: ZY
authors: Wang
authors: Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Zhen-Wei
authors: ZW
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Jiu-Xu
authors: JX
authors: Deng
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Pei-Xun
authors: PX
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Xiao-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Yin
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Han
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Yu-Hui
authors: YH
authors: Kou
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Bao-Guo
authors: BG
authors: Jiang
keywords: NSFC grants; icariin; nerve growth factor; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; peripheral nerve; sciatic nerve; sleeve bridging suture; traditional Chinese medicine