title: The Neuroprotective Effect of Puerarin in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent disabilities. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of puerarin, a natural extract, in a rat model of SCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute SCI models were established in rats using a modified Allen's method. Locomotor function was evaluated using the BBB test. The histological changes in the spinal cord were observed by H&amp;E staining. Neuron survival and glial cells activation were evaluated by immunostaining. ELISA and realtime PCR were used to measure secretion and gene expression of cytokines. TUNEL staining was used to examine cell apoptosis and western blot analysis was used to detect protein expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Puerarin significantly increased BBB score in SCI rats, attenuated histological injury of spinal cord, decreased neuron loss, inhibited glial cells activation, alleviated inflammation, and inhibited cell apoptosis in the injured spinal cords. In addition, the downregulated PI3K and phospho-Akt protein expression were restored by puerarin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Puerarin accelerated locomotor function recovery and tissue repair of SCI rats, which is associated with its neuroprotection, glial cell activation suppression, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects. These effects may be associated with the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
authors: Dapeng
authors: D
authors: Zhang
authors: Guozhang
authors: G
authors: Ma
authors: Mingming
authors: M
authors: Hou
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Zhang
authors: Limin
authors: L
authors: Chen
authors: Chengbin
authors: C
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; C033607:puerarin