Protective effect of tanreqing injection on axon myelin damage in the brain of mouse model for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: September 9, 2022
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of Tanreqing injection on axon myelin in the mouse brain of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
Methods:
An EAE model was established by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55 immunization in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomly divided into the following groups: normal, model, prednisone acetate (PA) (6 mg/kg), Tanreqing high dose (5.14 mL/kg), Tanreqing low dose (2.57 mL/kg). On the day of immunization, both Tanreqing groups were treated by intraperitoneal injection, with the PA group treated by intragastrical perfusion after T cell response, and the other groups treated with saline. Changes in body weight, neurological deficit score, incidence rate, mortality rate, and course of disease were observed for all mice. Brain tissue was isolated and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and pathological investigations performed to evaluate axon myelin damage by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Myelin basic protein and microtubule associated protein-2 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Tanreqing injection significantly prolonged EAE latency and decreased the neurological deficit score, alleviated infiltration of inflammatory cells in the focus area, up-regulated hippocampal MBP expression at the acute stage and the remission stage, and increased microtubule associated protein-2 expression in the EAE brain to varying degrees in the acute stage. TEM analysis indicated that Tanreqing injection alleviates myelin damage in the EAE mouse and maintains the integrity of circular layer structures and alleviates axon mitochondrial swelling.
Conclusion:
Tanreqing injection alleviates EAE symptoms.
Insights
Tanreqing injection effectively alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) symptoms in mice. This treatment protects axon myelin and reduces neurological deficits by mitigating inflammation and preserving neuronal structure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, characterized by autoimmune-mediated damage to the central nervous system.
- Axon myelin damage and inflammation are key pathological features of EAE, leading to neurological dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of Tanreqing injection on axon myelin integrity in a mouse model of EAE.
- To evaluate the impact of Tanreqing on neurological deficits and inflammatory responses in EAE.
Main Methods:
- EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55 immunization.
- Mice were treated with Tanreqing (high and low doses), prednisone acetate, or saline.
- Neurological scores, disease progression, and mortality were monitored. Brain tissues were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunohistochemistry for myelin basic protein (MBP) and microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2).
Main Results:
- Tanreqing injection significantly delayed EAE onset and reduced neurological deficit scores.
- Treatment with Tanreqing decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and preserved myelin basic protein (MBP) and microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) expression.
- TEM revealed that Tanreqing alleviated myelin damage, maintained circular layer structure integrity, and reduced axon mitochondrial swelling.
Conclusions:
- Tanreqing injection demonstrates a protective effect against EAE, alleviating clinical symptoms and improving neurological function.
- The findings suggest Tanreqing has potential as a therapeutic agent for demyelinating diseases like EAE by preserving axon myelin and reducing neuroinflammation.
