The effect of alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl leave on alpha motoneuron regeneration of anterior horn in a rat model of sciatic nerve compression

Peripheral nerve injury during accidents causes the degeneration of the cell body in anterior horn of the spinal cord. Sometimes the use of plant extracts may be effective in regenerative process of these injuries. Stachys lavandulifolia of the Laminacea family has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the regenerative effect of alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leave on spinal cord alpha motoneuron in a rat model of sciatic nerve compression.
In this experimental study male Wistar rats (n=36) were divided randomly into six groups: Control, Compression, and Compression Treatment (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg of extract). In order to induce compression, sciatic nerve of right leg was exposed to compression for 60 seconds using the locker pincers. Extract injection was done intraperitoneally in the first and second weeks after the compression. Then, 28 days after the compression and under profusion method, the samples were taken from lumbar spinal cord. The density of motoneurons was measured and compared using the dissector and stereological methods.
According to the present results, the density of neurons in Compression group was decreased significantly compared to the Control (P The alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leave has neuro-protective effect on anterior horn neurons of the spinal cord after injury. Probably, this effect is related to the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors in alcoholic extract that induces the neuronal regeneration.