Bushen Yisui Capsule ameliorates axonal injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

A preliminary clinical study by our group demonstrated Bushen Yisui Capsule (formerly called Erhuang Formula) in combination with conventional therapy is an effective prescription for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. However, its effect on axonal injury during early multiple sclerosis remains unclear. In this study, a MOG(35-55)-immunized C57BL/6 mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was intragastrically administered Bushen Yisui Capsule. The results showed that Bushen Yisui Capsule effectively improved clinical symptoms and neurological function of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In addition, amyloid precursor protein expression was down-regulated and microtubule-associated protein 2 was up-regulated. Experimental findings indicate that the disease-preventive mechanism of Bushen Yisui Capsule in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was mediated by amelioration of axonal damage and promotion of regeneration. But the effects of the high-dose Bushen Yisui Capsule group was not better than that of the medium-dose and low-dose Bushen Yisui Capsule group in preventing neurological dysfunction.