Lavandula angustifolia Extract Improves the Result of Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Wharton's Jelly Stem Cell Transplantation after Contusive Spinal Cord Injury in Wistar Rats

Introduction. The primary trauma of spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe damage to nervous functions. At the cellular level, SCI causes astrogliosis. Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs), isolated from Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord, can be easily obtained. Previously, we showed that the neuroprotective effects of Lavandula angustifolia can lead to improvement in a contusive SCI model in rats. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of L. angustifolia (Lav) on HUMSC transplantation after acute SCI. Materials and Methods. Sixty adult female rats were randomly divided into eight groups. Every week after SCI onset, all animals were evaluated for behavior outcomes. H&E staining was performed to examine the lesions after injury. GFAP expression was assessed for astrogliosis. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) testing was performed to detect the recovery of neural conduction. Results. Behavioral tests showed that the HUMSC group improved in comparison with the SCI group, but HUMSC + Lav 400 was very effective, resulting in a significant increase in locomotion activity. Sensory tests and histomorphological and immunohistochemistry analyses verified the potentiation effects of Lav extract on HUMSC treatment. Conclusion. Transplantation of HUMSCs is beneficial for SCI in rats, and Lav extract can potentiate the functional and cellular recovery with HUMSC treatment in rats after SCI. Copyright © 2016 Kayvan Yaghoobi et al

Assessment of the neuroprotective effects of Lavandula angustifolia extract on the contusive model of spinal cord injury in wistar rats

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves a primary trauma and secondary cellular processes that can lead to severe damage to the nervous system, resulting in long-term spinal deficits. At the cellular level, SCI causes astrogliosis, of which glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a major index. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Lavandula angustifolia (Lav) on the repair of spinal cord injuries in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-five female rats were randomly divided into six groups of seven rats each: the intact, sham, control (SCI), Lav 100, Lav 200, and Lav 400 groups. Every week after SCI onset, all animals were evaluated for behavior outcomes by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score. H&E staining was performed to examine the lesions post-injury. GFAP expression was assessed for astrogliosis. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) testing was performed to detect the recovery of neural conduction. Results: BBB scores were significantly increased and delayed responses on sensory tests were significantly decreased in the Lav 200 and Lav 400 groups compared to the control group. The greatest decrease of GFAP was evident in the Lav 200 and Lav 400 groups. EMG results showed significant improvement in the hindlimbs in the Lav 200 and Lav 400 groups compared to the control group. Cavity areas significantly decreased and the number of ventral motor neurons significantly increased in the Lav 200 and Lav 400 groups. Conclusion: Lav at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg can promote structural and functional recovery after SCI. The neuroprotective effects of L. angustifolia can lead to improvement in the contusive model of SCI in Wistar rats. © 2016 Kaka, Yaghoobi, Davoodi, Hosseini, Sadraie and Mansouri

Assessment of Neuroprotective Properties of Melissa officinalis in Combination With Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells After Spinal Cord Injury

Introduction: The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) has a classically bad prognosis. It has been demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSCs) and Melissa officinalis (MO) are useful for the prevention of neurological disease. Methods: Thirty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into intact, sham, control (SCI), MO, hUCBSC, and MO-hUCBSC groups. Intraperitoneal injection of MO (150 mg/kg) was commenced 24 hr post-SCI and continued once a day for 14 days. Intraspinal grafting of hUCBSCs was commenced immediately in the next day. The motor and sensory functions of all animals were evaluated once a week after the commencement of SCI. Electromyography (EMG) was performed in the last day in order to measure the recruitment index. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and transmission electron microscopy evaluations were performed to determine the level of astrogliosis and myelination. Results: The results revealed that motor function (MO-hUCBSC: 15 ± 0.3, SCI: 8.2 ± 0.37, p <.001), sensory function (MO-hUCBSC: 3.57 ± 0.19, SCI: 6.38 ± 0.23, p <.001), and EMG recruitment index (MO-hUCBSC: 3.71 ± 0.18, SCI: 1.6 ± 0.1, p <.001) were significantly improved in the MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Mean cavity area (MO-hUCBSC: 0.03 ± 0.03, SCI: 0.07 ± 0.004, p <.001) was reduced and loss of lower motor neurons (MO-hUCBSC: 7.6 ± 0.43, SCI: 3 ± 0.12, p <.001) and astrogliosis density (MO-hUCBSC: 3.1 ± 0.15, SCI: 6.25 ± 1.42, p < 0.001) in the ventral horn of spinal cord were prevented in MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Conclusion: The results revealed that the combination of MO and hUCBSCs in comparison with the control group has neuroprotective effects in SCI. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016

Study of transected sciatic nerve repair by amniotic membrane with betamethasone in adult albino wistar rats

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of amniotic membrane impregnated with betamethasone on regeneration of transected sciatic nerve injury in adult albino Wister rats. Methods: In this research, 42 male adult rats were divided into six equal groups. 1) Normal (intact) group: healthy rats without any injury; 2) Control group: sciatic nerve was cut and sutured; 3) Sham group: 0.2 mL culture medium was injected on the epineurium in the injury; 4) Amniotic membrane group (AM): Acellular amniotic membrane was used around the damaged sciatic nerve; 5) Betamethasone group (B): 0.2 mL Betamethasone (4 mg/mL) was injected in the site of damaged nerve and 6) Amniotic membrane group and Betamethasone (AM/B) group: Acellular amniotic membrane impregnated with 0.2 mL betamethasone was used around the damaged sciatic nerve. The rate of recovery was studied by Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), withdrawal UH�Hlatency (WRL) test and electroctrophysiological assessments at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery. Histological assessment was done 8 weeks after surgery. Results: At 8 weeks after surgery, SFI, WRL test and electrophysiological values in AM/B group were VLJQL¿FDQWO\ improved compared to control and sham groups (P < 0.05). Histological results showed improvement in therapeutic groups, especially AM/B group compared to control and sham groups and other therapeutic groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed the positive effects of Amniotic membrane and Betamethasone on nerve regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in a rat model. © 2016, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved

Chitosan-film associated with mesenchymal stem cells enhanced regeneration of peripheral nerves: A rat sciatic nerve model

Objective Peripheral nerve injuries comprise significant portion of the nervous system injuries. Although peripheral nerves show some capacity of regeneration after injury, but the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. Regeneration might be through the activity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which can release growth factors or extracellular matrix components or by the therapeutic effect of some material with the MSCs. The present study aimed to evaluate the regeneration of transected sciatic nerve by a therapeutic value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) associated with chitosan-film (Cs) in rat. Materials & methods Male Wistar rats (n=42, 180-200g) were randomly divided into intact; control; sham; Cs; MSCs; MSCs + Cs groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery using sciatic functional index (SFI), hot water paw immersion test, electrophysiological, histological analyses. Results The rats in the MSCs+Cs group showed significant decrease in SFI and hot water paw immersion test during the 2nd to 8th weeks after surgery. Electrophysiological findings showed a significant decrease in latency time in the MSCs +Cs group. Amplitude of the nerve impulses also increased. Number of nerve fibers with more than 6 μm diameters increased significantly in MSCs+Cs. The number of nerve fibers with less than 4 μm diameters also increased significantly in MSCs+Cs group. Conclusion Taken together, mesenchymal stem cells associated with Cs could improve functional and histomorphological properties of the sciatic nerve after injury which may have some clinical outcomes as well. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Chitosan– Gelatin (Ch-G) Thin Membrane with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs): A New Model As A Dressing Bandage

Background and Purpose: Various methods for repairing defects and injuries such as wounds and cuts on the body have long been used. Biocompatible material into the body for the purposes of applying the Chitosan and gelatin are among them. On the other hand, recently the use and application of special cells in the bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) to produce a wide variety of growth factors and tropic factors in the healing and restoration of great concern was. Methods: In this study, a thin film of polymer solution (Ch-G) of mixture casting method, cells with BMSCs were obtained. For this purpose, cells were passage BMSCs after four steps, the thin membrane (Ch-G) were cultured. Adhesion of the BMSCs cells by inverted microscopy, the purity and the stem was examined by immunocytochemistry after the sixth day. Results: Demonstrate that the proper proliferation and apoptosis of cells during this period was low on the membrane. The results showed no significant difference between the cells on thin membranes (Ch-G) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Considering that BMSCs can easily be on thin-film cells (Ch-G), growth and reproduction are good, so it can cover the cell membrane as a dressing Adhesive Bandage to repair some defects, wounds used and bone fractures

Chitosan-film associated with mesenchymal stem cells enhanced regeneration of peripheral nerves: A rat sciatic nerve model

Objective Peripheral nerve injuries comprise significant portion of the nervous system injuries. Although peripheral nerves show some capacity of regeneration after injury, but the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. Regeneration might be through the activity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which can release growth factors or extracellular matrix components or by the therapeutic effect of some material with the MSCs. The present study aimed to evaluate the regeneration of transected sciatic nerve by a therapeutic value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) associated with chitosan-film (Cs) in rat. Materials & methods Male Wistar rats (n=42, 180-200g) were randomly divided into intact; control; sham; Cs; MSCs; MSCs + Cs groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after surgery using sciatic functional index (SFI), hot water paw immersion test, electrophysiological, histological analyses. Results The rats in the MSCs+Cs group showed significant decrease in SFI and hot water paw immersion test during the 2nd to 8th weeks after surgery. Electrophysiological findings showed a significant decrease in latency time in the MSCs +Cs group. Amplitude of the nerve impulses also increased. Number of nerve fibers with more than 6 μm diameters increased significantly in MSCs+Cs. The number of nerve fibers with less than 4 μm diameters also increased significantly in MSCs+Cs group. Conclusion Taken together, mesenchymal stem cells associated with Cs could improve functional and histomorphological properties of the sciatic nerve after injury which may have some clinical outcomes as well. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Curcumin and Biodegradable Membrane Promote Nerve Regeneration and Functional Recovery after Sciatic Nerve Transection in Adult Rats

Background Curcumin has immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of curcumin and biodegradable membrane on nerve healing in rat sciatic nerve transected injuries. Methods Rats were divided into groups: (1) control group (Ctrl), (2) curcumin group (Cur), (3) membrane group (Mem), and (4) membrane and curcumin group (Mem + Cur). Functional recovery was evaluated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery. At the end of the eighth week after surgery, histological assessments were done. Results At the end of 8th week after surgery, functional assessments (sciatic nerve index, withdrawal reflex latency, and electromyography) in the Mem + Cur group improved compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Histological results (number of nerve fibers, diameter of nerve fibers, and myelin thickness) improved in the Mem + Cur group compared with the control, Cur, and Mem groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study showed the positive effects of Mem + Cur on nerve regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in rat model. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved