title: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of yaotuitong capsules in experimental rats with chemically induced radicular neuritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Yaotuitong (translation: low back and leg pain) capsules, a Chinese herbal preparation, and the histological changes it induces in experimental rats with chemically induced radicular neuritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, model, Western medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine groups (n=24 per group). We surgically duplicated a chemical radicular neuritis model to simulate lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. Granuloma formation was measured on postoperative days (PODs) 3, 7, 14, and 21. Prostaglandin E2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine (inflammation mediators) levels in the surrounding tissue and the histology of the nerve root were determined on PODs 7 and 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Yaotuitong capsules significantly reduced prostaglandin E2 (P<0.01) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (P<0.01) levels in tissue surrounding the nerve root. It also inhibited granuloma formation (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yaotuitong capsules have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects that can alleviate the discomfort of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, 309 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100091, China. xqc1025@163.com
authors.forename: Qingchang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Zhenjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jianfu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002214:Capsules / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009443:Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002214:Capsules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012701:Serotonin; D015232:Dinoprostone