title: The Role of Nerve Growth Factor in Ginsenoside Rg1-Induced Regeneration of Injured Rat Sciatic Nerve.
abstract: Sciatic nerve injury is commonly seen in clinical practice predominantly associated with trauma or sports injuries. Recent studies indicated that ginsenoside Rg1 (Gs Rg1), extracted from Chinese herbs, was found to promote regeneration of injured rat sciatic nerve and that nerve growth factor (NGF) may be involved in this process. The aim of this study was to examine the role that NGF may play in ginsenoside Rg1-induced regeneration of rat sciatic nerve following injury. Animals following surgical right sciatic nerve injury were subsequently administered intraperitoneally either saline (sham control) or different doses of 2, 4, 8, or 12 mg/kg daily GsRg1 for 2 to 8 wk. In addition, 100 μg/kg mecobalamin, a drug utilized to treat nerve injuries, was employed as a positive control. After 2, 4, or 8 wk, sciatic functional index (SFI) and mean nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), markers of sciatic nerve function, were assessed to determine whether recovery of injured sciatic nerve occurred. In addition, immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods were used to examine NGF protein expression changes. Results showed that all doses of GsRg1 significantly increased SFI and MNCV in injured sciatic-nerve-damaged rats in a manner similar to that noted with mecobalamin. It is of interest that the intermediate 4- and 8-mg/kg doses were more effective in restoring nerve functions. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot results also demonstrated a similar pattern with enhanced NGF protein expression at all doses, but greater effects were noted at 4 and 8 mg/kg GsRg1. Data suggest that GsRg1 promotes recovery of injured sciatic nerve functions within a specific dose range and that NGF may be involved in this physiological process.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy , Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology , Inner Mongolia , China.
authors.forename: Dong-Sheng
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy , Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology , Inner Mongolia , China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy , Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology , Inner Mongolia , China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: b Department of Anesthesiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital , Wenzhou Medical University , Zhejiang , China.
authors.forename: Chao-Xuan
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: c School of Health Sciences , University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Australia.
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy , Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology , Inner Mongolia , China.
authors.forename: Zhan-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; C019476:mecobalamin; D014805:Vitamin B 12; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1