Objective: To explore the effect of Chinese herbal compound Yitangkang on Nav1.7 protein and mRNA expression in diabetic rats. Method: Forty health male Wistar rats

weighting 200-250 g

were randomly divided into control group

model group and Yitangkang group.The model group and Yitangkang group were given STZ 55 mg·kg-1 ip to induce diabetes model

and respectively given comfort agent and Yitangkang (4 g·kg-1 )5 mL·d-1 ig for 6 weeks

dorsal root ganglia(DRG) specimens were collected to detect Nav1.7 protein and mRNA expression level with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR method respectively. Result: The blood glucose level in control group was (6.73±0.9) mmol·L-1

in model group being (20.12±1.3) mmol·L-1

in Yitangkang group being (19.34±1.2 )mmol·L-1

which showed a significant differences in model group compared with the control group (P<0.01)

no significant difference in Yitangkang group was found compared with the model group. Grayscale values of the Nav1.7 protein expression in blank control group was 149.41± 5.71

in model groups being 104.53± 9.02

in Yitangkang group being 132.57± 6.13. Compared with the control group

the Nav1.7 protein expression in model group was significantly increased (P<0.01)

Yitangkang group expression levels significantly lower compared with the model group (P<0.01).Absorbance ratio Nav1.7 mRNA expression of integralin control groups was 0.114± 0.018

in model groups being 0.215± 0.043

in Yitangkang group being 0.128± 0.025. Compared with the control group

the level of expression in model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression levels in Yitangkang group was significantly lowered compared with the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Chinese herbal compound Yitangkang may be block the Nav1.7 channel

which may be one of the mechanisms.