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

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.

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.

These data showed that TA improves nerve damage and can be used as an option to improve inflammation-induced sciatica.