Objective: To observe the variation of nitric oxide(NO) in serum and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the plasma in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy treated by Duhuo Jisheng Tang and evaluate its clinical significance. Method: On the basis of routine blood glucose control

128 outpatients and inpatients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were randomly divided into traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) oral treatment group (62 cases) and TCM steaming group (66 cases). The patients in TCM oral treatment group orally took Duhuo Jisheng Tang

1 dose/day

400 mL

bid; the patients in TCM steaming group were treated with Duhuo Jisheng Tang steamed externally

1 dose/day

1 L

bid. One treatment course was 10 days and the patients in both groups received 3 treatment courses. The changes NO in serum and ET-1 levels in plasma before and after treatment were observed and compared between two groups; percentage of clinical symptom scores reduction and current perception threshold (CPT) were used for quantitative detection and determination of clinical efficacy. Meanwhile

the adverse reactions were monitored. Result: Both oral administration and streaming treatment of Duhuo Jisheng Tang can significantly increase the level of NO in serum (P<0.05)and decrease the level of ET-1 in the serum of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(P<0.05). The total effective rate for clinical symptom scores reduction was 83.9%and 86.4%respectively in TCM oral treatment group and TCM steaming treatment group. The CPT values of bilateral median nerves and gastrocnemius nerves were significantly reduced in both groups(P<0.05)

but there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Duhuo Jisheng Tang can significantly increase the level of NO in serum and decrease the level of ET-1 in the plasma of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This may be one of the effective mechanisms for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

providing a novel therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.