Effects of Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-syokyo-to for Neuropathic Pain in Rats

• Published in: Kampo Medicine Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 205 - 209
• Main Authors: OKUDA, Keiko, USUI, Yosuke, SHINOZAKI, Mio, EGAWA, Hirotoshi, YAMAGUCHI, Shigeki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine 2002
• Subjects: chronic constriction injury; measurements of body temperature; neuropathic pain; rat; thermal stimulation test; Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-syokyo-to
• ISSN: 0287-4857; 1882-756X
• DOI: 10.3937/kampomed.53.205

Objectives: We examined the effects of Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to on chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve as a neuropathic pain model in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1, no constriction and no medication (n=8); group 2, constriction without medication (n=8); group 3, constriction with medication (n=8). On each group we performed thermal stimulation tests for pain measurement before the operation and 7 and 14 days after the operation. We also measured body temperature at the tympanum and the planta. Results and conclusions: A significant increase of pain was observed at 7 and 14 days after constriction in group 2. Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to relieved their pain 14 days after constriction. Furthermore, Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to warmed their feet significantly, while chronic constriction injury induced coldness in the constricted feet. We conclude that Toki-shigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to relieves both pain and coldness in a neuropathic pain model.