Factors that enhance the intrinsic growth potential of neurons play a major role in the regeneration and repair of adult neurons following an injury. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is one of the key players in the origin and growth of neuronal and glial cells through autocrine and paracrine signaling. Water extract of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (fingered citron, foshou), which is been used effectively as a Chinese herbal medicine, was found to activate the FGF-2 promoter in transgenic luciferase expression models. Foshou treatment on Schwann cells (RSC96) transfected with luciferase reporter plasmid under a FGF-2 promoter was found to induce the FGF-2 promoter and showed enhanced luciferase expression. The FGF-2 expression was accompanied with an increase in the expression of proteins involved in cell migration and cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, foshou potentially enhances nerve regeneration by inducing the Schwann cell proliferation and migration.
