OBJECTIVETo study the effect of compound injection of Radix Hedysari on peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.

METHODSSeventy-five healthy adult SD male rats, weighing 150 g, were randomized into 5 groups (15 rats in each group). The bilateral sciatic nerves of the rats were exposed and clamped with a smooth clamp to make an injury area of 2 mm. After clamp operation Group 1 was injected with compound injection of radix Hedysari (CIRH) 1.5 ml/day, Group 2 with CIRH 1.0 ml/day, Group 3 with CIRH 0.5 ml/day, Group 4 with nerve growth factor (NGF) 50 U/day, and Group 5 was taken as the control group without any management. The bilateral sciatic nerve was taken out at 3 days, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after clamping, stained with osmic acid and observed microscopically. The myelinated nerve fibers were counted. The nerve conduction velocity was determined 2 and and 4 weeks before sample taking the sciatic nerve function index was measured 4 weeks before sample taking.

RESULTSThe results of nerve conduction velocity, the myelinated nerve fiber count and the sciatic functuion index in the CIRH treated groups were better than those in the control group. The results of the nerve conduction velocity and the myelinated nerve fiber count at 2 weeks and the nerve conduction velocity at 4 weeks in Group 1 were better than those of Group 4. Biological observation showed that degenerated and necrotic myelin sheath in CIRH treated Groups at 2 and 4 weeks decreased remarkably compared to the NGF treated group.

CONCLUSIONSCIRH can promote regeneration of peripheral nerves and absorption of degenerated and necrotic injured nerves. It has the same effect as NGF.