Effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on functional recovery after decompression in a rat model of degenerative cervical myelopathy
10.31616/asj.2025.0571
- Author:
Kang-heng WANG
;
Guang-Sheng LI
;
Rong LI
;
Kwok Fai SO
;
Chung Yin TAI
;
Yong HU
;
Kenny Yat Hong KWAN
- Publication Type:Basic Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal
2025;19(6):887-895
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:Female Sprague–Dawley rats with induced chronic cervical spinal cord compression were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) LBP alone; (2) decompression alone; (3) decompression+LBP; (4) no treatment; and (5) sham surgery. Decompression was performed 4 weeks after compression. Outcomes were assessed using neurobehavioral tests, electrophysiology, and histological/immunohistochemical analyses.
Results:Baseline spinal cord injury severity was comparable across groups, as confirmed by electrophysiological studies. At 8 weeks postsurgery, rats in the decompression+LBP group showed significantly greater recovery of hindlimb function compared with rats in the decompression alone group. Improvements in somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential latency and amplitude were also more pronounced in the decompression+LBP group. Histological analyses demonstrated reduced myelin vacuolation and increased myelin density with LBP treatment.
Conclusions:This study provides the first evidence that LBP derived from Chinese herbal medicine enhances neurological and functional recovery when combined with decompression in a rat model of CSM. These findings support further clinical investigation of LBP as an adjunctive therapy in patients with CSM.
