Neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides on cultured dorsal root ganglia of rats and on crushed common peroneal nerve of rabbits

• Naturally derived Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides (ABPP) have some neuroactivities.
• ABPP encouraged neurite outgrowth of rat dorsal root ganglia through ERK1/2 activation.
• ABPP accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration after common peroneal nerve crush.

We have isolated Achyranthes bidentata Blume polypeptides (ABPP) from the aqueous extract of A. bidentata Blume, a traditional Chinese medicine with multiple therapeutic applications. In this study, we aimed to investigate neurotrophic effects of ABPP on cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats and neuroprotective effects on crushed common peroneal nerve of rabbits. Immunochemistry and Western blot analysis indicated that ABPP (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 μg/ml) encouraged neurite outgrowth from cultured DRG explants/neurons in a concentration-dependent manner through activation of ERK1/2. After crush injury to rabbit common peroneal nerve, animals received daily administration of ABPP for 5 weeks. Electrophysiological assessments and histomorphological evaluation showed that 6.0 mg/kg ABPP significantly enhanced nerve regeneration and function restoration. Our findings suggest that ABPP could be used as a neurotrophic and neuroprotective agent to treat peripheral nerve crush injury.