Table 2.
Vegetal extract components reported in the literature over the last two years as potentially effective in the treatment of SCI.
| Name | Mechanism of Action | Effect on SCI | Administration Route in Animal Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allicin [32] | Increase in nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related Factor-2 (Nrf-2) nuclear translocation in neurons and astrocytes | Neuro-protection, locomotion recovery antioxidant, anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammatory effects | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Aloe vera [33] | Reduction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) protein | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptosis | Per os |
| Asiaticoside [34] | Inhibition of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signaling pathway | Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Buyang Huanwu decoction [35] | Reduction in caspase-3 and Bax expression and increase in Bcl-2 expression | Anti-apoptosis effect and hind-limb motor function recovery | Per os |
| Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) [36] | Antioxidant activity | Neuro-protection, anti-apoptosis | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Carnosol [37] | Down-regulation of NF-κB and COX-2 levels and up-regulation of phosphorylated Akt and Nrf-2 expression | Neuro-protection, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Crocin from Crocus sativus [38] | Down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and antioxidant activity | Neuro-protection and functional recovery in animal SCI | Implantation |
| Curcumin [39,40] | Reduction of inflammatory cytokine expression and antioxidant activity | Neuro-protection, anti-apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation reduction, locomotion recovery | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [41] | miR-21 and phosphorylated Akt up-regulation and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) down-regulation | Neuroplasticity enhancement | Tail vein injection |
| (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate polyphenol [42] | Down-regulation of Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and TNF-α expression | Neuro-protection, reduction of thermal hyperalgesia and of astro- and microglia reactivity | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Glycyrrhizic acid [43] | Reduction of NF-κB and S100B expression | Neuro-protection, lipid peroxidation reduction, anti-necrotic and anti-inflammatory effects | Catheter inserted into the extradurally thoracic |
| Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides from Basidiomycota [44] | Modulation of caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase activities, reduction of transforming growth factor- α (TGF-α), malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels | Neuro-protection and functional recovery | Per os |
| Ginkgo biloba extract 761 [45] | Antioxidant, antiapoptosis | Neuro-protection, motor recovery | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Go-sha-jinki-Gan [46] | Anti TNF-α | Neuro-protection, analgesic and anti-necrosis effects | Implantation |
| Herba Lycopodii [47] | Increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression | Neuro-protection and motor function improvement | Intragastric injection |
| Mangiferin [48] | Reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, modulation of Bcl-2 and Bax pathway | Neuro-protection, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and anti-apoptosis, locomotion recovery | Intraperitonesl injection |
| Rutin [49] | Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) expression inhibition and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activation, down-regulation of p-Akt expression | Neuro-protection and locomotion recovery | Intraperitoneal injection |
| Thymoquinone from Nigella sativa [50] | Antioxidant activity, modulation of cytokine, activation of antioxidant enzyme | Neuro-protection, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect, reduction of motor neuron apoptosis | Intraperitoneal injection |