Effects of bacterial melanin on posttraumatic recovery of motor tract conduction in rats

Unilateral destruction of Pyramidal tract on the bulbar level, conducted in rats initially trained to an instrumental conditioned reflex (ICF) and in rats not trained to ICR, results in contralateral hemiparesis. On the next day of the surgery part of the trained and not trained animals was injected intramuscularly with bacterial melanin solution at the rate 6mg/ml (170mg/kg). Comparison of recovery periods for ICR and paralyzed hindlimb movements in rats treated with melanin and in control animals, not injected with bacterial melanin, showed significant acceleration of posttraumatic recovery in melanin treated group. This proves the neuroprotective action of bacterial melanin on the process of motor recovery.