Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effect and mechanisms of nourishing Piyin Remedy (nPR) and bovine brain extract (bBE) on experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) of rat.Methods80 healthy SD rats were divided into 5 equal groups randomly: bBE group supplied through subarachnoid cavity, normal saline (NS) group supplied through subarachnoid cavity, nPR group, NS orally taken group, combined group. Animal models were made by Allen's equipment on T₈～T₉ segment. The spinal nerve function, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), retrograde and label technique of horseradish peroxidase, gross observation, histological and morphometric analysis were taken as the observed indices.ResultsThe values of observed indices of bBE group and nPR group improved evidently compared with their own control groups; that of combined group was prior to sole administration.ConclusionnPR can hold back the secondary SCI and accelerate the recovery of spinal nerve function; bBE can stimulate the improvement of injuried nerve fibers; the joint of nPR and bBE can make a synergic effect.

Key words: spinal cord injury (SCI), nourishing Piyin Remedy, bovine brain extract, rat