FKBPs also known as immunophilins, are a family of gene products defined by their ability to bind the immunomodulatory drug FK506 and its non-immunosuppressive derivatives that include V10, 367 and GPI-1046.GM284, a novel synthetic nonimmunosuppressive FK506 derivative that binds with nanomolar affinity to FKBP52, has been shown to promote functional regeneration in a sciatic nerve crush model.In the present study we investigated the ability of these drugs to improve anatomical regeneration in a facial paralysis model of Bell's Palsy.This study was undertaken to compare the ability of FK506 and GM284 to promote functional and anat. regeneration in an animal model of Bell's Palsy.Daily, systemic treatment with FK506 or GM284 promoted facial nerve regeneration by 10 days, with initial functional recovery elicited as early as 5 days with GM284 treatment and 6 days with FK506 treatment.In contrast, we observed neither functional nor anat. recovery in the vehicle treated group.The activity of GM284 and FK506 on in vivo recovery indicates this class of drugs accentuates the normal events in regenerative biol. in a variety of nerve injury models.The results indicate that immunophilin ligands can promote functional regeneration and recovery of the motor components of the facial nerve in a model of for Bells Palsy.Furthermore, these studies suggest that GM284 may be a possible therapeutic modality for facial paralysis.