The regenerative capability of spinal cord neurons is limited to impossible. Thus, experimental approaches supporting reconstruction/regeneration are in process. This study focused on the evaluation of the protective potency of an extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), a plant used in traditional medicine with anti-oxidative and neuroprotective activities, in vitro on organotypic spinal cord cultures, the motor-neuron-like NSC-34 cell line and the microglial cell line BV-2. Organotypic cultures were mechanically stressed by the slicing procedure and the effect of GP on motor neuron survival and neurite sprouting was tested by immunohistochemistry. NSC-34 cells were neuronal differentiated by using special medium. Afterwards, cell survival (propidium iodide/fluorescein diacetate labeling), proliferation (BrdU-incorporation), and neurite sprouting were evaluated. BV-2 cells were stimulated with LPS/interferon γ and subjected to migration assay and nanoparticle uptake. Cell survival, proliferation and the expression pattern of different microglial activation markers (cFOS, iNOS) as well as transcription factors (PPARγ, YB1) were analyzed. In organotypic cultures, high-dose GP supported survival of motor neurons and especially of the neuronal fiber network. Despite reduced neurodegeneration, however, there was a GP-mediated activation of astro- and microglia. In NSC-34 cells, high-dosed GP had degenerative and anti-proliferative effects, but only in normal medium. Moreover, GP supported the neuro-differentiation ability. In BV-2 cells, high-dosed GP was toxic. In lower dosages, GP affected cell survival and proliferation when combined with LPS/interferon γ. Nanoparticle uptake, migration ability, and the transcription factor PPARγ, however, GP affected directly. The data suggest positive effects of GP on injured spinal motor neurons. Moreover, GP activated microglial cells. The dual role of microglia (protective/detrimental) in neurodegenerative processes required further experiments to enhance the knowledge about GP effects. Therefore, a possible clinical use of GP in spinal cord injuries is still a long way off.

脊髓神经元的再生能力被限制到不可能。因此，支持重建/再生的实验方法正在进行中。本研究侧重于评估绞股蓝提取物的保护效力(GP)，一种用于传统医学的植物，具有抗氧化和神经保护活性，在体外用于器官型脊髓培养物、运动神经元样 NSC-34 细胞系和小胶质细胞系 BV-2。通过切片程序对器官型培养物进行机械应力，并通过免疫组织化学测试 GP 对运动神经元存活和神经突发芽的影响。NSC-34细胞采用特殊培养基进行神经元分化。之后，评估细胞存活（碘化丙啶/荧光素二乙酸酯标记）、增殖（BrdU 掺入）和神经突发芽。用 LPS/干扰素 γ 刺激 BV-2 细胞并进行迁移测定和纳米颗粒摄取。细胞存活、增殖和不同小胶质细胞活化标志物（cFOS、iNOS) 以及转录因子 (PPARγ, YB1) 进行了分析。在器官型培养中，高剂量 GP 支持运动神经元的存活，尤其是神经元纤维网络的存活。然而，尽管神经退行性变减少，但 GP 介导了星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的激活。在 NSC-34 细胞中，高剂量 GP 具有退行性和抗增殖作用，但仅在正常培养基中。此外，GP 支持神经分化能力。在 BV-2 细胞中，高剂量的 GP 是有毒的。在较低剂量下，当与 LPS/干扰素 γ 结合时，GP 会影响细胞存活和增殖。纳米颗粒的摄取、迁移能力和转录因子 PPARγ，然而，GP 直接影响。数据表明 GP 对受伤的脊髓运动神经元有积极作用。此外，GP 激活小胶质细胞。小胶质细胞在神经退行性过程中的双重作用（保护/有害）需要进一步的实验来增强对 GP 效应的认识。因此，GP在脊髓损伤中的可能临床应用还有很长的路要走。