Panax ginseng Improves Functional Recovery after Contusive Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating the Inflammatory Response in Rats: An In Vivo Study

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015 · DOI: 10.1155/2015/817096 · Published: July 28, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to permanent loss of motor function. This study explores how Panax ginseng, a traditional medicine, might help improve recovery after SCI by reducing inflammation. The researchers created a spinal cord injury in rats and then treated them with different doses of Panax ginseng. They found that rats treated with ginseng showed better motor function recovery compared to those that weren't. The study suggests that Panax ginseng may protect nerve cells after SCI by reducing inflammation. This could potentially lead to new treatments for people with spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

30 days

Participants

47 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

In vivo study

Key Findings

1
P. ginseng treatment resulted in a significant improvement in locomotor function after spinal cord injury in rats.
2
The protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS at the lesion site was decreased by P. ginseng treatment, indicating a reduction in inflammation.
3
Lesion size was significantly smaller in P. ginseng treated rats compared to the control group, suggesting a neuroprotective effect.

Research Summary

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The results showed that P. ginseng treatment improved locomotor function, reduced the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS, and decreased lesion size. The study suggests that P. ginseng may improve motor function recovery after SCI by alleviating posttraumatic inflammatory responses.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Panax ginseng could be a potential therapeutic agent for treating spinal cord injuries in humans due to its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Drug Development

The findings support the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs based on the properties of Panax ginseng.

Further Research

Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds in P. ginseng responsible for these effects and to optimize dosage and administration methods.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The study focused on a specific type of spinal cord injury (contusion) and may not be applicable to other types of SCI.
3
The study did not examine the anti-inflammatory effects of active compounds isolated from P. ginseng extract.

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