Abstract: Objective · To explore the mechanism of Danshen injection on promoting spinal cord functional recovery by observing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods · Thirty SD rats were divided randomly into normal control group, model group and treatment group (n=10). The rats in model group and treatment group were subjected to weight-drop SCI according to the Allens' method, and administered normal saline and Danshen injection, at the dosage of 1 mL/kg once a day , by intraperitoneal injection respectively for 14 days. The combine behavioral score (CBS) of rats in all groups was detected on 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after SCI, the expression of BDNF and IGF-1 in all groups was detected with immunohistochemical method and Western blotting. Results · Compared with the normal control group, the CBS in model group and treatment group was elevated after SCI, and declined gradually with the lapse of injury time in different rates. Until 14 days after SCI, compared with the model group, the CBS in treatment group was lower (P=0.000), and the expression levels of BDNF and IGF-1 (including immunohistochemistry positive cell number and relative content) in treatment group were both elevated significantly (all P<0.05). Conclusion · Danshen injection can promote the recovery of nerve function by elevating the expression of BDNF and IGF-1 after SCI.

Key words: spinal cord injury (SCI), Danshen injection, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)