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Sharifi M, Shahraki A. Neuroprotective effects of alcoholic extract of Artemisia herba-alba on degeneration of alpha motoneurons of spinal cord ventral horn after sciatic nerve compression in rats. Journals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences 2017; 24 (4) :263-272
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-2219-en.html

Background and Aim: Peripheral nerve injury occurs in about 3% of the patients suffering from trauma and accidents. This injury induces Wallerian degeneration in the site of injury and, as a retrograde reaction, extends to the cell bodies of injured neurons in the central nervous system. The present study aimed to assess the neuro-protective effects of the alcoholic extract of Artemisia herba-alba on the degeneration of spinal cord ventral horn alpha motoneurons following sciatic nerve compression in rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 six-member groups including control (A), compressed (C), and three compressed groups plus treatment with Artemisia herba-alba ethanolic extract with a dose of 50 (D50), 75 (D75), and 100 (D100) mg/kg. The alcoholic extract of Artemisia herba-alba was injected intraperitoneally once a week for four weeks. In the control group, the muscle was dissected at the sciatic nerve; in the compression and treatment groups, the sciatic nerve was exposed to compression after muscle contraction. At the end, the mice were anesthetized and subjected to perfusion. They were then sampled from the lumbar spinal cord. After staining the histological sections with toluidine blue, the neuron density was studied.
Results: Neuronal density in the compression group had a significant reduction compared with the control group (P <0.05). Neuronal density in D50 (938.3±36.2) and D75 (1259±36.8) increased significantly compared to that of group C (467.16±65.8) (P<0.05). Similarly, neuronal density in group D100 (1736.5±96.9) significantly increased compared to group C (476.16±65.8) (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Artemisia herba-alba had neuroprotective effects on alpha motoneurons in the spinal cord ventral horn following sciatic nerve compression in rats.