Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic resource for the peripheral nervoussystem (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) that is attributable to their capacity for neuronal differentiation. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), which exhibit MSC-like traits, can differentiate into neuron-like cellsand secrete critical neurotrophic factors; however, their therapeutic potential in peripheral nerve injury remainsunexplored. This study investigated the regenerative effects of hDPSC transplantation following sciatic nerve injury(SNI) in rats. Transplantation of hDPSCs, STRO-1+ hDPSCs, or CD146+ hDPSCs after sciatic nerve transection inrats upregulated the levels of β3 tubulin, a marker of immature newborn neurons. Furthermore, the levels of glial cellderived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor 2, and the neuroregenerative factor NeuroD1 were upregulated. Motor dysfunction in rats with SNI was restored, as demonstrated by significantly higher sciatic functional indexscores compared with the sciatic nerve transection group without transplantation. Transplantation of hDPSCs intoinjured peripheral nerves results in the upregulation of neurotrophic factors, differentiation into immature neurons, andpromotion of motor function recovery. This appr...