Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE
Volume 38, Issue 3, Pages 547-560Publisher
WORLD SCIENTIFIC PUBL CO PTE LTD
DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X10008044
Keywords
Earthworm; Peripheral Nerve Regeneration; PC12 Cell; Silicone Rubber; Traditional Chinese Medicine
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The present study provides in vitro and in vivo evaluations of earthworm (Pheretima aspergilum) on peripheral nerve regeneration. In the in vitro study, we found the earthworm (EW) water extracts caused a marked enhancement of the nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as well as the expressions of growth associated protein 43 and synapsin I. In the in vivo study, silicone rubber chambers filled with EW extracts were used to bridge a 10mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. Eight weeks after implantation, the group receiving EW extracts had a much higher success percentage of regeneration (90%) compared to the control (60%) receiving the saline. In addition, quantitative histology of the successfully regenerated nerves revealed that myelinated axons in EW group at 31.25 mu g/ml was significantly more than those in the controls (p < 0: 05). These results showed that EW extracts can be a potential growth-promoting factor on regenerating peripheral nerves.
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