Frontiers in Neurology (Mar 2023)

Effects of the administration of Shinbaro 2 in a rat lumbar disk herniation model

  • Won Kyung Kim,
  • Joon-Shik Shin,
  • Jinho Lee,
  • Wonil Koh,
  • In-Hyuk Ha,
  • Hyen Joo Park,
  • Sang Kook Lee,
  • Jin Young Hong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1044724
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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The current standard for the pharmacological management of lumbar disk herniation (LDH), involving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and opioid analgesics, often carries a risk of adverse events. The search for alternative therapeutic options remains a vital objective, given the high prevalence of LDH and the critical impact on the quality of life. Shinbaro 2 is a clinically effective herbal acupuncture against inflammation and various musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, we explored whether Shinbaro 2 exerts protective effects in an LDH rat model. The results showed that Shinbaro 2 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, disk degeneration-related factors, matrix metalloproteinase-1,−3,−9, and ADAMTS-5 in LDH rats. Shinbaro 2 administration reinstated a behavioral activity to a normal level in the windmill test. The results indicated that Shinbaro 2 administration restored spinal cord morphology and functions in the LDH model. Therefore, Shinbaro 2 exerted a protective effect in LDH via actions on inflammatory responses and disk degeneration, indicating that future research is warranted to assess the action mechanisms further and validate its effects.

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