• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-48
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• 2013

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficits. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang), in oriental medicine, has been used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders. Methods : In the present study, the effects of aqueous extract of Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) on functional recovery, severity of pain, and expressions of neurofilament, cycloxygenease-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this study, walking tract analysis, plantar test, western blot analysis for COX-2 iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$, and Immunofluorescence test for neurofilament were performed. Results : In the present results, sciatic functional index(SFI) in walking tract analysis was significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury, and pain severity in plantar test was significantly increased. COX-2, iNOS and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions were increased whereas neurofilament expression was decreased by sciatic crushed nerve injury, In contrast, treatment with Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) improved SFI in walking tract analysis and suppressed the pain severity in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) treatment also suppressed COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions and enhanced the neurofilament expression in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusions : In the present study, we have shown that Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) is the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury.