Neuroprotective effects and mechanism of saikosaponin A on acute spinal cord injury in rats

• Published in: Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi 2017-07, Vol.31 (7), p.825-829
• Main Authors: Zhu, Shuanglong, Duan, Huiquan, Liu, Yingfu, Li, Guangzong, Liu, Yingjie, Huang, Mengqiang, Chen, Xuyi, Xu, Yunqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: Chinese
• Subjects: Animals; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; NF-kappa B - drug effects; NF-kappa B - metabolism; Oleanolic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Oleanolic Acid - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Saponins - pharmacology; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries - drug therapy; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - drug effects; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism
• ISSN: 1002-1892
• DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.201702106

To investigate the effect of saikosaponin a (SSa) on the levels of immune inflammation in rats with acute spinal cord injury and its possible mechanism. Seventy-two Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 220-250 g) were randomly divided into sham operation group (group A), spinal cord injury group (group B), and SSa treatment group (group C) respectively, 24 rats in each group. The spinal cord injury model was induced by using the Allen's method in groups B and C; the spinous process and vertebral plate at both sides were cut off by lamina excision to expose the spinal cord in group A. The rats were given intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg SSa in group C and equal volume of normal saline in group B at immediate after injury. The spinal cord tissue was harvested from 18 rats of each group at 24 hours after operation to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) by ELISA, to detect the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65, NF-κB P-P65, and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) by Western blot and to observe the morphology of spinal cord by HE staining. The motor function of the lower limbs was evaluated by BBB score and tiltboard experiment in 6 rats at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injury. The BBB score and tiltboard experiment maximum angle were significantly higher in group A than groups B and C at each time point (