The peer-reviewed paper, titled “Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Entrapment Neuropathy Unties (ENU) Pharmacopuncture in Neuropathic Pain Caused by Sciatic Nerve Ligation in Mice,” is the first to scientifically evaluate ENU pharmacopuncture’s effects on neuropathic pain caused by nerve entrapment or dysfunction. The study underscores the potential of Korean medicine as a scientifically grounded alternative for managing a condition that affects millions worldwide and is notoriously difficult to treat.
Neuropathic pain, characterized by chronic discomfort due to nerve damage or dysfunction, often responds poorly to existing therapies, leaving patients with limited options. The Incheon Hi Hospital team’s research offers hope by demonstrating that ENU pharmacopuncture can effectively reduce pain through multiple biological pathways, providing both immediate and sustained relief.
Results showed that all ENU-treated groups experienced significant pain reduction compared to the control group. A single injection began reducing pain within seven hours, with medium and high-dose groups exhibiting particularly pronounced analgesic effects. Repeated administrations further confirmed ENU’s efficacy, with the medium-dose group showing pain reduction on days 6, 8, 10, and 14, and the high-dose group as early as day 4. These findings indicate that ENU pharmacopuncture offers both acute pain relief and cumulative therapeutic benefits over time.
“This study scientifically validates that ENU pharmacopuncture alleviates neuropathic pain through multiple mechanisms, including suppression of glial cell activation, reduction of C-FOS expression, and inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production,” said Dr. Youn You Suk and Dr. Lee Sang Ho, co-directors of Incheon Hi Hospital. “Composed of safe, natural herbal extracts with minimal toxicity or side effects, ENU pharmacopuncture is a promising long-term treatment option for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies.”
The ENU pharmacopuncture formulation has already secured patents in South Korea and the United States, affirming its technological and therapeutic value. Its publication in a prestigious international journal further solidifies its scientific credibility and is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing research into neuropathic pain mechanisms and treatment development.
medikorea team Lim Hye Jeong,
press@hinews.co.kr
