Abstract
Objective. To investigate the effects of modified Hungqi Guizhi Wuwu Tang (MHGWT), a formula that comprises Chinese medicinal herbs, in relieving neuropathic pain in diabetics. Method. Between March 2008 and April 2009, 112 participants were randomly assigned to either the MHGWT group, whose members received MHGWT (n = 56), or the control group, whose members received a placebo (n = 56). Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) was rated using the 15-item Short-Form Brief Pain Inventory (SF-BPI), the 17-item Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the 13-item Modified Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MMNSI), and the 36-item “SF-36.” Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were performed before and after treatment. Results. After 12 weeks of treatment, the SF-MPQ and SF-BPI scores of the MHGWT group were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced and a significant difference between the groups was observed (P < 0.05). The levels of NCS in the MHGWT group were nonsignificantly (P > 0.05) reduced, and no significant difference in NCS level was observed between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. MHGWT shows promise in relieving DNP and deserves further investigation.
Highlights
Neuropathy is the most common complication associated with diabetes, and sensorimotor diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy [1, 2]
Clinical investigations have suggested that it has therapeutic potential for DPN [11], with the added advantages of lower cost and fewer side effects compared with the aforementioned agents [12]
Participants had to have been diagnosed with DM based on criteria consistent with those recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and were required to have fasting plasma ≥126 mg/dL, or two-hour plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL as measured by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on two separate occasions, or random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms [14]
Summary
Neuropathy is the most common complication associated with diabetes, and sensorimotor diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy [1, 2] It is characterized by a progressive loss of nerve fibers that predisposes the sufferer to painful or numb extremities, ulceration, and amputation and results in a large disease burden in terms of inability to work, significantly reduced quality of life, and consumption of healthcare resources [3, 4]. 56 ITT analyzed including dizziness, somnolence, infection, peripheral edema [7], hepatotoxicity, and related deterioration of blood cells, are not trivial [8] They must be used with caution [9]. In order to reliably evaluate the effectiveness of HGWT in treating DPN, high-quality clinical trials are required
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