Abstract

Objective: This study was performed to examine Danggui (DG, Angelica gigas Nakai)'s potential activity for promoting axonal regeneration in the injured peripheral nerve. Methods: Using the sciatic nerve in the rats, DG extract 5 ${\mu}l$(10 mg/ml in 0.5% saline) was dripped into the injury site of the nerve. Results: DG treatment facilitated axonal elongation responses in the distal portion to the injury site. GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated by DG treatment in the injured nerve and also in the DRG, suggesting the induction of GAP-43 expression at gene expression level after nerve injury. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were upregulated in the injured nerve area and also in the DRG, suggesting retrograde transport of phospho-Erk1/2 protein from the injury area to the cell body. Cdc2 protein levels were slightly upregulated by DG treatment. DG treatment increased the number of non-neuronal cells in the distal portion to the injury site. Conclusions: The present data suggest that DG is effective for enhanced axonal regrowth after sciatic nerve injury.

Keywords

• Danggui (DG, Angelica gigas Nakai);
• sciatic nerve;
• axonal regeneration