Traditional herbal medicines, Fuling, Baizhu, and Danggui, promote the proliferation of human Schwann cells

Abstract

Enhancing Schwann cell proliferation may be beneficial for peripheral nerve repair and nerve regeneration. A traditional herbal formula composed of Fuling (poria cocos), Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), and Danggui (Angelica sinensis) (FBD) improves neuronal survival and growth, and FBD may promote the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. However, the mechanism underlying Schwann cell proliferation remains unclear. We tested whether FBD enhanced the proliferation of human Schwann cells. FBD (20 mu g/mL) increased Schwann cell viability and survival, and increased the number of cells at G2/M and S phases. FBD also increased nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in Schwann cells, with maximum efficacy at 20 mu g/mL.