Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2013, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (6): 523-531.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.06.005

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Mechanism of Erhuang capsule for treatment of multiple sclerosis

Kangning Li1, 2, Yongping Fan1, Tao Yang1, Lei Wang3   

  1. 1 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
    2 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
    3 Department of Prescription, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Received:2012-09-08 Revised:2012-11-08 Online:2013-02-25 Published:2013-02-25
  • Contact: Yongping Fan, M.D., Professor, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China, yongpingf@ hotmail.com
  • About author:Kangning Li☆, M.D., Research assistant.
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by the Key Combination Program of Capital Medical Development Foundation, No. 2005-SF-I-001; the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, No. 7102051, 7092014; the Beijing Science and Technology Development Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. JJ2009-27; and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81072765, 30873230.

Abstract:

Erhuang capsule, a typical formula based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, is widely used to ameliorate multiple sclerosis, inflammation and side effects of glucocorticoid treatment. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells are neural stem cells that are important for myelin repair and regeneration. In the present study, Erhuang capsule effectively improved clinical symptoms and neurological function scores, reduced mortality and promoted recovery of neurological functions of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The mechanism of action involved significant increases in oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation in specific regions of the brain and spinal cord, increased oligodendrocyte lineage gene 2 expression and enhanced oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation.

Key words: neural regeneration, traditional Chinese medicine, neurodegenerative diseases, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, Erhuang capsule, Chinese compound recipe, methods of tonifying the kidney, resolving phlegm and activating blood, oligodendrocyte lineage gene 2, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, central nervous system, grants-supported paper, photographs-containing paper, neuroregeneration