The plant known as blessed thistle, scientifically named Cnicus benedictus, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It has been utilized for its medicinal properties for many years, often in the form of extracts or teas to help with digestion. Recent research has revealed a new potential benefit of Cnicin, a compound found in blessed thistle. Animal studies and human cell experiments have demonstrated that Cnicin can significantly enhance the growth of axons, which are nerve fibers. This discovery was made by researchers at the University of Cologne.
For centuries, cnicin has been utilized as a medicinal herb in the form of an extract or tea, often to assist with digestion. Researchers at the Center for Pharmacology of University Hospital Cologne and at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne have discovered a new potential use for cnicin under the supervision of Dr. Philipp Gobrecht and Professor Dr. Dietmar Fischer. Both animal models and human cells have indicated that cnicin can greatly speed up the growth of nerve fibers, also known as axons. The study ‘Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration’ was recently published in Phytomedicine.
Quick relief for nerves
Regeneration pathways.In both humans and animals, nerve injuries with long axons can take a long time to heal and may even be permanent. This is because the axons struggle to reach their intended target in a timely manner. However, speeding up the rate of regeneration can make a significant difference, ensuring that the fibers reach their destination before irreversible damage occurs. Researchers were able to show successful axon regeneration in both animal models and human cells taken from donated retinae. When mice or rats were given a daily dose of Cnicin, it helped to improve paralysis and neuropathy at a faster rate.p>Cnicin has a significant advantage over other compounds: it can be taken orally, rather than through injection. “The right dosage is crucial with Cnicin, as it only works within a specific therapeutic range. Doses that are too low or too high won’t be effective. This is why additional human clinical studies are necessary,” Fischer explained. Researchers at the University of Cologne are currently in the process of planning these important studies. The Center for Pharmacology is dedicated to researching and developing drugs to repair the damaged nervous system.
The current study received funding of approximately 1,200,000 euros from Federal Ministry of Education and Research funded the PARREGERON project.
