The Role of Cerebrolysin in Promoting Axonal Regeneration and Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Focus on Macrophage Activation.

Karimian A, Abdolmaleki A, Asadi A, Zahri S, Ghanimi HA

Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin11 Oct 2025

PMID41835059PMCIDPMC12980209DOI10.34172/apb.025.46084PepBankPUB-41835059

Summary

PurposeThe research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.MethodsThe research included 72 male Wistar rats, categorized into six groups: sham control, crush injury, vehicle-treated crush damage, and two groups receiving Cerebrolysin treatment for crush injury. The assessment of functional recovery was conducted with the sciatic functional index and hot plate test, while axonal regeneration, muscle atrophy, and macrophage polarization were also studied.ResultsResults demonstrated that Cerebrolysin, particularly at 5 mg/kg, significantly improved SFI scores and thermal paw withdrawal latency compared to the control group, indicating enhanced functional recovery. Histomorphometric analysis revealed increased myelinated axon counts in the Cerebrolysin-treated groups. Cerebrolysin also reduced gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and induced a change in macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2.ConclusionThese results imply that cerebrolysin improves functional outcomes, promotes axonal regeneration, and modifies macrophage polarization to provide neuroprotective effects in peripheral nerve damage. The 5 mg/kg dosage proved to be more effective than the 2.5 mg/kg dose. This study highlights the potential of Cerebrolysin as a therapeutic agent for peripheral nerve injuries.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin particularly at 5 mg/kg improved SFI scores compared with controls.
In plain wordsIn rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin particularly at 5 mg/kg improved SFI scores compared with controls.
Peptide
Cerebrolysin
Outcome
Not applicableSciatic functional index
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male Wistar rats with acute sciatic nerve injury
Comparator
Control group
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
5 mg/kgAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
Results demonstrated that Cerebrolysin, particularly at 5 mg/kg, significantly improved SFI scores and thermal paw withdrawal latency compared to the control group, indicating enhanced functional recovery.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4183505901
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin particularly at 5 mg/kg improved thermal paw withdrawal latency compared with controls.
In plain wordsIn rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin particularly at 5 mg/kg improved thermal paw withdrawal latency compared with controls.
Peptide
Cerebrolysin
Outcome
Not applicableThermal paw withdrawal latency
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male Wistar rats with acute sciatic nerve injury
Comparator
Control group
Outcome group
Pain · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
5 mg/kgAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
Results demonstrated that Cerebrolysin, particularly at 5 mg/kg, significantly improved SFI scores and thermal paw withdrawal latency compared to the control group, indicating enhanced functional recovery.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4183505902
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin treatment increased myelinated axon counts.
In plain wordsIn rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin increased myelinated axon counts.
Peptide
Cerebrolysin
Outcome
IncreaseMyelinated axon counts
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male Wistar rats with acute sciatic nerve injury
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Histomorphometric analysis revealed increased myelinated axon counts in the Cerebrolysin-treated groups.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4183505903
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin reduced gastrocnemius muscle atrophy.
In plain wordsIn rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin reduced calf muscle atrophy.
Peptide
Cerebrolysin
Outcome
DecreaseGastrocnemius muscle atrophy
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male Wistar rats with acute sciatic nerve injury
Outcome group
Muscle injury and repair · Musculoskeletal
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Cerebrolysin also reduced gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and induced a change in macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4183505904
05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin shifted macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2.
In plain wordsIn rats with sciatic nerve injury, Cerebrolysin shifted macrophages from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2.
Peptide
Cerebrolysin
Outcome
MixedMacrophage polarization
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Male Wistar rats with acute sciatic nerve injury
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Cerebrolysin also reduced gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and induced a change in macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The research investigated the neuroprotective properties of Cerebrolysin regarding functional recovery, axonal regeneration, and macrophage polarization in a rat model of acute sciatic nerve damage.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4183505905

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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