Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) activates IGF-I and FGF-2 pathways to induce proliferation and migration effects in RSC96 schwann cells

This study evaluates the proliferative and migrative effects of dangshen on RSC96, Schwann cells. We investigated the molecular signaling pathways, which include: (1) survival signaling, IGFs-IGFIR-Akt-Bcl2 and proliferative signaling, cell cycle factors and MAPK pathways. (2) migrate and anti-scar signaling, FGF-2-uPA-MMPs. After treatment with different concentrations (20 μg/ml, 40 μg/ml, 60 μg/ml, 80 μg/ml, and 100 μg/ml) of dangshen. We observed a dose dependent proliferative effect using PCNA Western blotting assay, MTT assay and the wound healing test. We also found that dangshen stimulates the protein expressions of IGF-I pathway regulators, cell cycle controlling proteins and excites the MAPK signaling pathway regulators ERK and P38. Dangshen even stimulates the FGF-2-uPA-MMP 9 migration pathway in RSC 96 Schwann cells. Using MAPK chemical inhibitors, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125, the proliferative effects of dangshen on RSC 96 cells were identified to be ERK- and P38- dependent. Based on these results, applying an appropriate dose of dangshen with biomedical materials would be a potential approach for enhancing neuron regeneration.