Objective: To search for natural products that couldpromote neurite outgrowth. Method: Neurite outgrowth activity was evaluated after treatment of natural extracts from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma

Astragali Radix

Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis using primary cultured cortical neurons (SD rat

E17). Extention of axons and dendrites was quantified by immunocytochemistry using Phosphorylate-neurofilaments protein H(pNF-H) antibody (axon marker) and MAP2a & 2b (dendrite marker); microscopic analysis and image analysis were used for measuring the growth of axons and dendrites. Result: The preliminary experiments indicated that:among methanol extracts of 3 natural medicines

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma was effective to extend axons at 1 g·L-1 (P<0.05). As to water extracts

Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis has effect to extend axons (P<0.05). The water extracts of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis was further partitioned by ethyl acetate

n-butanol

and the n-butanol fraction and water subfraction seemed to show the ability to extend the axons(P<0.05). Conclusion: The preliminary results indicated that the methanol extracts of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and the n-butanol fraction and water subfraction of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis have the potential ability to repair spinal cord injury.The animal experiment is needed to confirm these results.