Background: Schwann cells (SCs) play an indispensable role in the repair and regeneration of injured peripheral nerve. Curcumin can reduce SCs apoptosis, and promote the regeneration and functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves. However, the corresponding mechanisms are not clear. Objective: The article was aimed to explore the effect and corresponding mechanisms of curcumin on the repair of sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods: After surgery induced sciatic nerve injury, the model rats were divided into three groups and treated with curcumin, curcumin + PD98059 and curcumin + IGF-1 respectively for 4 days. The phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt, and the expression of LC3-II, Beclin 1 and p62 were measured using western blotting. After treatment for 60 days, myelination of the injured sciatic nerve was evaluated by MBP immunohistochemical staining and the expression of PMP22, Fibrin and S100 were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting. In vitro, RSC96 cells were starved for 12 h to induce autophagy, and received DMSO, curcumin, PD98059 + curcumin, IGF-1 + curcumin and BFA1 respectively. The phosphorylation of Erk1/2, Akt and the expression of LC3-II, Beclin 1, p62, PMP22, Fibrin and S100 were measured using western blotting, and the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Curcumin could promote injury-induced cell autophagy, remyelination and axon regeneration in sciatic nerve of rats. In vitro, curcumin could accelerate cell autophagy through regulating autophagy related Erk1/2 and Akt pathway, prevent cell apoptosis and promote expression of PMP22 and S100, and reduced deposition of Fibrin in cultured RSC96 SCs. Conclusions: Curcumin could accelerate injured sciatic nerve repair in rats through reducing SCs apoptosis and promoting myelinization.(C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.