Composition comprising the extract of herbal combination for preventing or treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for the prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, comprising an herb extract of a mixture of 3.5:1 Dioscorea Rhizoma: Dioscorea nipponica (w/w). Having the ability to synergistically increase in vivo levels of nerve growth factor, compared to the extracts from the herbs alone or herb mixtures of other weight ratios, the mixed herb extract is effective for preventing the apoptosis of nerve cells and promoting nerve regeneration. Thus, it can be applied to pharmaceutical compositions and health functional foods preventive and curative of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy, comprising:
 an extract of a mixture of 3.5:1  Dioscorea  Rhizoma: Dioscorea nipponica  (w/w) as an active ingredient; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a disease developed by at least one cause selected from the group consisting of dystrophy, degeneration and apoptosis of nerve cells. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the diabetic peripheral neuropathy exhibits a symptom selected from the group consisting of a burning discomfort, a stingy ache, soreness, a straining feeling, loss of tactile sensation, vibratory sensation or temperature sensation, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A health functional food for preventing or ameliorating diabetic peripheral neuropathy, comprising an extract of a mixture of 3.5:1  Dioscorea  Rhizoma: Dioscorea nipponica  (w/w). 
     
     
         5 . The health functional food of  claim 4 , wherein the extract is prepared into a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a syrup and a beverage.