Objective To evaluate the effects of
traditional Chinese medicine likeDansen and western medicine in treating traumatic brain
edema (TBE). Methods A total of 130 Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups: Group A (normal contrast group), Group B (operation group), Group C (western medicine treatment group, WM group), Group D (western medicine and salvia injection), Group E (western medicine and Honghua injection) and Group F (western medicine and Sanqi injection). The model of brain edema was established by liquid nitrogen treatment to assay whole blood viscosity, water content and Even blues (EB) in brain tissues and to observe the content and pathologic changes of endothlin (ET) in plasma. Results Whole blood viscosity of Groups D, E and F was lower than that of Group B (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with no significant statistical difference between Group B and Group C (P>0.05). Water content and EB in brain tissues and ET of plasma in Groups C, D, E and F were lower significantly than those in Group B (P<0.01), with significantly lower water content and EB in brain tissues and lower ET of plasma of Groups D, E and F than those of Group C (P<0.01 or P<0.05).The pathologic changes of Groups C, D, E and F were ameliorated significantly compared with Group B. Conclusion Integrated
traditional Chinese medicine like Dansen, Honghua, Sanqi and western medicine for TBE can attain better therapeutic effect than solely by western medicine, which may be related to effect of
Traditional Chinese medicine on improving microcirculation and reducing ET contents.