Effects of Jiaweibugan Decoction on BDNF Expression of Sciatic Nerve in Rats with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective: To investigate the intervene effects of Jiaweibugan decoction on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in sciatic nerve of experimental diabetic rats, and to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Jiaweibugan decoction on peripheral neurophathy. Methods: Jiaweibugan decoction with mecobalamin was as control. The diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of BDNF mRNA in sciatic nerve. Results: For the model rats, the expressions of BDNF in sciatic nerve were lower than those in the normal control group(P0. 05),and higher at the 8th week than at the 4th week. The BDNF expressions were significantly higher in model rats treated by Jiaweibugan decoction and mecobalamin than in non-treated model rats(P0.05), but there was no significant difference between mecobalamin and Jiaweibugan decoction treatment. Conclusion: Jiaweibugan decoction increases the expressions of BDNF in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats, and has preventive and therapeutic effects on peripheral neuropathy in experimental diabetic rats.