Neuroprotective Potential of Trans-Anethole Following Crush Injury of the Sciatic Nerve in Rats

Background and Aim: Sciatic nerve injury is a common condition that can lead to significant functional deficits. Although current treatments are effective in reducing symptoms, more effective and safer treatments are still required. In this research, the effect of trans-anethole (TA) was investigated on improving the sciatic nerve function in a rat model. Methods and Materials/Patients: Twenty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Animals were subjected to deep anesthesia. Then, to create a model of the sciatic nerve, the right leg of the rats was compressed above the location of the trifurcation of the nerve. The control and negative groups received saline. Trans-anethole 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally into two groups of the sciatica model. Finally, muscle histological changes were evaluated. Results: The results indicated that the injection of TA improved motor recovery in rats. The highest recovery rate was related to the dose of 250 mg/kg. The morphometric analysis suggested that the number of fibers and the thickness of the myelin sheath were significantly higher in the group treated with TA compared with the control group. An increase in muscle mass and a decrease in muscle atrophy were observed in the groups treated with TA compared with the negative control group. Conclusion: These data showed that TA improves nerve damage and can be used as an option to improve inflammation-induced sciatica

Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effect of Eugenol on the Improvement of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

Background: Sciatica is a common human disorder associated with chronic pain. To speed up the recovery of damaged sciatic nerve, using plant derivatives, such as Eugenol can be effective due to its known neuroprotective properties. This study, investigated the effects of Eugenol on the regenerative process of experimentally induced sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods: Twenty eight male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 grams were divided into four groups of seven rats each. The control and sciatica model groups received normal saline only. The other two groups of sciatica model received Eugenol intraperitoneally at either 50 or 100 mg/kg daily for one week. Behavioral tests were also performed, and samples of the gastrocnemius muscles were removed under anesthesia for histopathological examinations. Results: The pace of nerve injury improvement and recovery of both sensory and motor functions increased significantly in Eugenol-treated groups compared to both the sciatica model and control groups. Conclusion: Eugenol administration improved the repair and regenerative process of the induced peripheral sciatic nerve damage in rats. Therefore, this compound may be considered as a beneficial treatment option for sciatica in humans