Buyang Huanwu Decoction promotes the neurological recovery of traumatic spinal cord injury via inhibiting apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress

Immun Inflamm Dis, 2023 · DOI: 10.1002/iid3.933 · Published: June 19, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), a traditional Chinese medicine, to improve recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). The study explores the mechanisms through which BYHWD might work, focusing on its ability to reduce apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The research involved both in vitro (cell-based) and in vivo (animal) experiments. In the animal model, rats with SCI were treated with BYHWD, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), or a combination of both. The effects on neurological function, inflammation, and oxidative stress were then assessed. The findings suggest that BYHWD can promote neurological recovery after SCI by inhibiting apoptosis, reducing inflammation, and alleviating oxidative stress. It also showed that BYHWD might achieve these effects by suppressing the gp130/JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

Sprague‐Dawley rats (female, 8–10 weeks)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
BYHWD suppresses apoptosis and accelerates cell proliferation after SCI, contributing to improved histological outcomes.
2
BYHWD and MSCs treatment significantly promoted neurofunction recovery, as evidenced by increased Tarlov and inclined plated test scores.
3
The study found that BYHWD significantly inhibits the expression of the gp130/JAK/STAT signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a key mechanism of action.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) can improve neurological recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The researchers used both in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the effects of BYHWD, comparing it to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and a combination of both. The results indicate that BYHWD promotes neurofunction recovery by inhibiting apoptosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress after SCI. The study also found that BYHWD suppresses the expression level of the gp130/JAK/STAT axis, a key signaling pathway involved in SCI. The authors conclude that BYHWD might be a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of SCI. This suggests a potential clinical application of BYHWD in managing spinal cord injuries.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

BYHWD could be explored as a novel therapeutic agent for SCI treatment.

Combination Therapy

BYHWD may be used in conjunction with MSCs to enhance recovery outcomes after SCI.

Pathway Target

The gp130/JAK/STAT signaling pathway represents a potential target for SCI therapies based on BYHWD's mechanism of action.

Study Limitations

1
The specific function mechanism and molecule targets remain unknown.
2
The underlying mechanism of synergistic effect of BYHWD and MSCs needs to be explored.
3
Further study needs to be performed to validate the regulatory function of mTOR.

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