Danggui Sini Decoction Alleviates Sciatica by Reducing Peripheral Sensitization through Downregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglions

ZHANG Di; ZHUANG Zi-feng; LIN Shao-zi; CHEN Zen-ni; CHEN Hong-ling; GU Jun-yan; HAO Yu-ting; LI Yi-xuan; CHEN Jia-xu; ZHAO Guo-ping

doi:10.1007/s11655-026-4045-8

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Danggui Sini Decoction Alleviates Sciatica by Reducing Peripheral Sensitization through Downregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglions

Original Article | Updated：2026-11-13

- Danggui Sini Decoction Alleviates Sciatica by Reducing Peripheral Sensitization through Downregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglions
- Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Vol. 32, Issue 11, Pages: 1024-1032(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou (510632), China
  Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou (511400), China
- Author bio：
  
  Correspondence to: Prof. CHEN Jia-xu, E-mail: chenjiaxu@hotmail.com
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s11655-026-4045-8
  CLC：
- Accepted：09 February 2026，
  
  Published：2026-11
- Accepted：
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ZHANG Di, ZHUANG Zi-feng, LIN Shao-zi, et al. Danggui Sini Decoction Alleviates Sciatica by Reducing Peripheral Sensitization through Downregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglions[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 32(11): 1024-1032.
DOI：

ZHANG Di, ZHUANG Zi-feng, LIN Shao-zi, et al. Danggui Sini Decoction Alleviates Sciatica by Reducing Peripheral Sensitization through Downregulation of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglions[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2026, 32(11): 1024-1032. DOI： 10.1007/s11655-026-4045-8.

摘要

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate whether Danggui Sini Decoction (DGSD) relieves sciatica by downregulating transient receptor potential (TRP) channels involved in peripheral sensitization. Methods: After conducting chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve (CCI) operation

32 SD rats

randomly assigned to the sham

CCI 7d

CCI 14d

and CCI 21d groups (n=8 per group)

were used to observe the course of sciatica. mRNA sequencing of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was conducted on rats in the sham and CCI 21d groups. Another 32 rats were divided into the sham

CCI

mecobalamin

and DGSD groups

8 in each group. mRNA sequencing analysis and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis were conducted. Behavioural tests were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects of DGSD. The levels of TRP vanilloid (TRPV)1-4

TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1)

TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8)

Ras homolog family member A (RhoA)

and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) were measured via Western blot

and the serum levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and 5 (CCL2

CCL5)

substance P (SP)

and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were conducted via ELISA. Results: scRNA-seq and mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels played a role in the development of sciatica. CCI rats exhibited cold hyperalgesia from day 4 to 21

increased the DRG protein expression levels of TRP channels

including TRPV1-4

TRPA1

TRPM8

RhoA

p-p38MAPK

CCL2

CCL5

and PGE2. Treatment with DGSD decreased the serum levels of CCL2

CCL5

and PGE2

and reduced the levels of RhoA

p-p38MAPK

TRPV1-4

TRPA1

and TRPM8 in DRG (P＜0.05). Conclusion: CCI increased the levels of TRP channels and inflammatory factors

inducing cold hyperalgesia

whereas DGSD relieved pain via inhibiting peripheral sensitization to relieve cold hyperalgesia by reducing the inflammatory factors and TRP.

关键词

Keywords

references

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