Catalpol induces oligodendrocyte precursor cell-mediated remyelination in vitro.

In demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, one of the treatment strategies includes remyelination using oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC). Catalpol, the extract of radix rehmanniae, is neuroprotective. Using an OPC culture model, we showed that 10 μM catalpol promotes OPC proliferation, cell migration and differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes. The 10 μM catalpol displayed stronger effects on OPCs migration and oligodendrocyte differentiation. These results suggest that catalpol has a potential role in promoting remyelination in demyelinating diseases, and is of therapeutic interest.