[Effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction (SMHXD) on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in rats.

Methods: The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group, diabetic model group and SMHXD-treated diabetic group. The diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally. After the treatment, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of caudal nerve was detected with evoked electromyography, and the activity of aldose reductase (AR) in erythrocytes and the concentration of endothelin (ET) in plasma were measured.

Results: It was showed that the SNCV reduced significantly and the activity of AR in erythrocytes and the concentration of ET in plasma were increased significantly in diabetic group as compared with those in the normal group. The SNCV was increased, and the activity of AR in erythrocytes and the concentration of ET in plasma were improved significantly in SMHXD-treated diabetic group after the treatment.

Conclusion: The results indicate that SMHXD can alleviate the lesion of DPN in the early stage of diabetic rats.