Project description:To study the underlying mechanism of erinacines derived from Hericium erinaceus in neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative diseases, we used the next-generation sequencing technology and bioinformatic analyses, erinacine S was found to cause the accumulation of neurosteroids in neurons. Additionally, we found that erinacine S enhances neurite outgrowth in a cell autonomous fashion of primary neurons. It also promotes post-injury axon regeneration of PNS neurons and enhances regeneration on inhibitory substrates of CNS neurons. This research uncovers a previously unknown effect of erinacine S on promoting neuronal regeneration via raising the level of neurosteroids.