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Homeopathy 2012; 101(03): 141-146
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.05.002
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2012

Homeopathic treatment for peripheral nerve regeneration: an experimental study in a rat sciatic nerve transection model

Rahim Mohammadi
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Nazloo Road, Urmia 57153 1177, Iran
,
Keyvan Amini
2   Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
,
Sahar Charehsaz
3   R&D Division, Azar Masoon Vaccine, Biological and Pharmaceuticals Distribution Company, Urmia 57196 55865, Iran
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Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received31 October 2011
revised02 April 2012

accepted02 May 2012

Publication Date:
04 January 2018 (online)

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Aim: Effects of homeopathic treatment with Hypericum perforatum (Hypericum) on peripheral nerve regeneration was studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model.

Methods: Fifty-four male healthy White Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 18), randomly: Sham-operation (Sham), control: silicon tube (Sil) and treatment: silicon tube + Hypericum (Sil/Hypericum). In the Sham group after anesthesia left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after homeostasis muscle was sutured. In the Sil group the left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way and transected proximal to tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10-mm gap. Proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone tube. In the Sil/Hypericum group a silicone tube was implanted the same way and each animal received three oral drops of Hypericum 30c twice daily for 1 week. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of six animals each studied 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery.

Results: Data were analyzed statistically by factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and, the Bonferroni test for pair-wise comparisons. Functional study showed faster and better recovery of regenerated axons in Sil/Hypericum than in Sil group (P < 0.05). Gastrocnemius muscle mass in Sil/Hypericum was significantly greater than in Sil group. Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in Sil/Hypericum were significantly higher than in control group. Immunohistochemistry, showed the location of reactions to S-100 in Sil/Hypericum was clearly more positive than in Sil group.

Conclusion: Hypericum improves functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.

Keywords

Peripheral nerve regeneration - Homeopathy - Hypericum perforatum - Silicone tube
 

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