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Planta Med 1993; 59(4): 302-307
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959686
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Regeneration of Motor Nerves in Bilobalide-Treated Rats

C. Bruno1 , R. Cuppini1 , S. Sartini1 , T. Cecchini2 , P. Ambrogini2 , E. Bombardelli3
  • 1Institute of Anatomy and General Physiology, via Budassi 28, University of Urbino, 1-61029 Urbino, Italy
  • 2Institute of Morphological Sciences, University of Urbino, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
  • 3Indena S.p.A., 1-20100 Milano, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

1992

1992

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Bilobalide, a terpene extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, has been proposed to exert trophic and protective effects on neurons and on Schwann's cells in various neuropathies. The reinnervation of the extensor digitorum longus muscle following traumatic nerve damage was investigated in rats by using electrophysiological and histological techniques. Evaluation parameters included the membrane resting potential of muscle cells, the spontaneous quantal release of acetylcholine, and the percentage of muscle cells receiving multiple innervation. The percentage of muscle cells receiving multiple innervation reached a peak more rapidly in treated animals and declined subsequently to values lower than those found in controls. These data suggest that the rearrangement of regenerated innervation occurs more rapidly in bilo-balide-treated animals.

Key words

Nerve regeneration - muscle reinnervation - bilobalide - multiple innervation

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