WenTong HuoXue Cream Can Inhibit the Reduction of the Pain-Related Molecule PLC-β3 in the Dorsal Root Ganglion of a Rat Model of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Chengcheng Feng,Deng Zang,Li Ma,Lijuan Xu,Yuguo Shen,Shiyun Guo,Qian Chen

doi:10.1155/2018/3416936

Abstract

WenTong HuoXue Cream (WTHX-Cream) has been shown to effectively alleviate clinical symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study investigated the gene and protein expression of the pain-related molecule PLC-β3 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of DPN rats. 88 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats were randomly divided into placebo (10 rats) and DPN model (78 rats) groups, and the 78 model rats were used to establish the DPN model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and were then fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. These rats were randomly divided into the model group, the high-, medium-, and low-dose WTHX-Cream + metformin groups, the metformin group, the capsaicin cream group, and the capsaicin cream + metformin group. After 4 weeks of continuous drug administration, the blood glucose, body weight, behavioral indexes, and sciatic nerve conduction velocity were measured. The pathological structure of the DRG and the sciatic nerve were observed. PLC-β3 mRNA and protein levels in the DRG of rats were measured. Compared with the model group, the high-dose WTHX-Cream group showed increased sciatic nerve conduction velocity, improved sciatic nerve morphological changes, and increased expression of PLC-β3 mRNA and protein in the DRG. This study showed that WTHX-Cream improves hyperalgesia symptoms of DPN by inhibiting the reduction of PLC-β3 mRNA and protein expression in the diabetic DRG of DPN rats.

Highlights

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common chronic complication of diabetes and involves distal symmetrical neuropathy, numbness, pain, hyperalgesia, and myasthenia
The motor nerve and sensory nerve conduction latencies were prolonged in the DPN model groups, and Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity (MNCV) and Sensory Nerve Conduction Velocity (SNCV) were slower in the DPN model group than in the placebo group (P < 0.01)
Some rats died because of high blood sugar, including one that died in the placebo group, three that died in the model group, one that died in the highdose WTHX-Cream and metformin group, two that died in the middle-dose WTHX-Cream and metformin group, and two that died in the capsaicin cream + metformin group

Summary

Introduction

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common chronic complication of diabetes and involves distal symmetrical neuropathy (major manifestation), numbness, pain, hyperalgesia, and myasthenia. DPN treatment includes improving microcirculation, promoting neurotrophy, and relieving pain [2]. WTHX-Cream (a local heating cream for improving blood perfusion) is produced based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and consists of seven traditional Chinese herbs: Chuanxiong, safflower, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Asarum, Angelica, Allolobophora caliginosa trapezoids, and pepper; this treatment is believed to promote blood circulation and eliminate stasis. External use of this cream on the affected region is believed to activate the blood, resolve stasis, and dredge collaterals to relieve pain. Our previous study showed that WTHX-Cream can effectively relieve the symptoms of DPN and reduce allergic pain [4]

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