Aim: This study aimed to determine whether pirfenidone can promote axonal growth and reduces the neurological deficit in rats following aneurysm clip compression spinal cord injury.

Methodology: Three main groups of thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were indiscriminately assigned (n = 10 in each group). Compression spinal cord injury was induced in all rats. Group “A” was given a placebo daily, group “B” was given a daily dose of pirfenidone 200 mg/kg/day, and group “C” was given a daily dose of pirfenidone 500 mg/kg/day. Using 14 & 28-day experimental durations, each group was subdivided into groups 1 & 2 (n = 5 in each). Von Frey test, hot plate test and acetone drop test were performed to evaluate sensitivity in the hind limbs of each rat. Immunohistochemistry was done using the GAP43 antibody to quantify axonal growth in the injury lesions.

Results: Scores of Von Frey test, hot plate test, acetone drop test and axonal growth were statistically different between the groups. Pifenidone-treated SCI groups showed improvements in all test scores and an increase in axonal growth compared to the non-pirfenidone-treated SCI group.

Conclusion: Pirfenidone improves sensory activity and promotes axonal growth after spinal cord injury, most probably by limiting collagen deposition in the inner central core of the glial scar and, providing passage and a favourable environment for axonal regeneration.

Keywords: Pirfenidone, Aneurysm Clip, Spinal Compression Injury, Von Frey test, GAP43