Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model
Background: Sciatic nerve injury, characterised by radiating pain from the lumbosacral region and associated motor-sensory deficits, remains a challenging condition with limited regenerative therapies. Clitoria ternatea (CT), a medicinal plant known for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory prop...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Translational Research in Anatomy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000330 |
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| author | Nur Zulaikha Azwan Blaire Okunsai Zaw Myo Hein Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir Muhammad Danial Che Ramli |
| author_facet | Nur Zulaikha Azwan Blaire Okunsai Zaw Myo Hein Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir Muhammad Danial Che Ramli |
| author_sort | Nur Zulaikha Azwan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Sciatic nerve injury, characterised by radiating pain from the lumbosacral region and associated motor-sensory deficits, remains a challenging condition with limited regenerative therapies. Clitoria ternatea (CT), a medicinal plant known for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in promoting nerve regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of CT extract in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury. Methodology: A total of 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: normal, toxicity control, negative control (injury without treatment), positive control (methylcobalamin), and three CT treatment groups (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Results: Hepatic and renal histology confirmed no toxicity in CT-treated groups. Functional recovery was assessed on days 14 and 28 using walking track analysis, rotarod, toe-spreading reflex, and hot plate tests, all showing significant improvement in CT-treated and positive control groups. Muscle histology (gastrocnemius, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus) and weight analysis revealed reduced atrophy and enhanced regeneration, particularly in the high-dose CT and positive groups. Morphometric evaluation using toluidine blue and cresyl violet staining indicated accelerated remyelination and increased neuronal cell body preservation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further demonstrated increased myelin sheath thickness in treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CT promotes axonal regrowth and functional recovery without detectable toxicity. This study provides novel preclinical evidence supporting the neuro regenerative and protective potential of Clitoria ternatea in peripheral nerve injuries, highlighting its promise as a plant-based therapeutic candidate for future translational applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-989a7194af5c407ea74a9b2efda4a5b6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-854X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Translational Research in Anatomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-989a7194af5c407ea74a9b2efda4a5b62025-08-21T04:16:55ZengElsevierTranslational Research in Anatomy2214-854X2025-09-014010041410.1016/j.tria.2025.100414Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat modelNur Zulaikha Azwan0Blaire Okunsai1Zaw Myo Hein2Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir3Muhammad Danial Che Ramli4Department of Diagnostic and Allied Health Science, Faculty Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Diagnostic and Allied Health Science, Faculty Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Department of Diagnostic and Allied Health Science, Faculty Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Corresponding author. Department of Diagnostic and Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.Background: Sciatic nerve injury, characterised by radiating pain from the lumbosacral region and associated motor-sensory deficits, remains a challenging condition with limited regenerative therapies. Clitoria ternatea (CT), a medicinal plant known for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise in promoting nerve regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of CT extract in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury. Methodology: A total of 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: normal, toxicity control, negative control (injury without treatment), positive control (methylcobalamin), and three CT treatment groups (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Results: Hepatic and renal histology confirmed no toxicity in CT-treated groups. Functional recovery was assessed on days 14 and 28 using walking track analysis, rotarod, toe-spreading reflex, and hot plate tests, all showing significant improvement in CT-treated and positive control groups. Muscle histology (gastrocnemius, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus) and weight analysis revealed reduced atrophy and enhanced regeneration, particularly in the high-dose CT and positive groups. Morphometric evaluation using toluidine blue and cresyl violet staining indicated accelerated remyelination and increased neuronal cell body preservation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further demonstrated increased myelin sheath thickness in treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CT promotes axonal regrowth and functional recovery without detectable toxicity. This study provides novel preclinical evidence supporting the neuro regenerative and protective potential of Clitoria ternatea in peripheral nerve injuries, highlighting its promise as a plant-based therapeutic candidate for future translational applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000330Sciatic nerve injuryClitoria ternateaNerve regenerationTherapeutic potentialPeripheral nerve injuries |
| spellingShingle | Nur Zulaikha Azwan Blaire Okunsai Zaw Myo Hein Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir Muhammad Danial Che Ramli Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model Translational Research in Anatomy Sciatic nerve injury Clitoria ternatea Nerve regeneration Therapeutic potential Peripheral nerve injuries |
| title | Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model |
| title_full | Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model |
| title_fullStr | Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model |
| title_short | Neuroregenerative effects of Clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury: Morphological, morphometric, and functional analysis in rat model |
| title_sort | neuroregenerative effects of clitoria ternatea in sciatic nerve crush injury morphological morphometric and functional analysis in rat model |
| topic | Sciatic nerve injury Clitoria ternatea Nerve regeneration Therapeutic potential Peripheral nerve injuries |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000330 |
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