Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Duhuojisheng decoction is a basic prescription of Chinese medicine for treatment of lumbar disc herniation, but its mechanism is yet unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Duhuojisheng decoction on prostaglandin E2 in rabbits with lumbar disc herniation.
METHODS: Models of lumbar disc herniation were established in New Zealand rabbits using molding device, and verified successfully through CT examination at 1 week after modeling. The model rabbits were randomly divided into model group (treated with normal saline), voltaren group (treated with 2.3 mg/kg voltaren) and Duhuojisheng decoction group (treated with 2.3 mg/kg Duhuojisheng decoction). The treatment was done twice a day, continued 2 weeks. Normal rabbits and rabbits undergoing sham operation were used as controls.nucleus pulpous and annulus fibrosus tissue visible
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: ①Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that granulation tissue ingrowth, neovascularization and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells were visible in nucleus pulpous and annulus fibrosus tissue after successful modeling of lumbar disc herniation. However, there was a remarkable relief in inflammatory cell infiltration after intragastric administration of Duhuojisheng decoction and voltaren. ②The results of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed that prostaglandin E2 levels in local soft tissues and peripheral plasma were increased significantly after modeling, and then decreased afte administration of Duhuojisheng decoction and voltaren (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in prostaglandin E2 levels after administration of Duhuojisheng decoction and voltaren (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that prostaglandin E2 plays a critical role in lumbar disc herniation, mediating in vivo inflammatory reaction. Duhuojisheng decoction can cure lumbar disc herniation through regulation of prostaglandin E2 expression, and its anti-inflammatory mechanism is similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as voltaren.