OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of Mailuoning on the facial nerve demyelination of Hemifacial spasm and provide the data for therapy of Hemifacial spasm.

METHOD24 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into control group, Saline group and Mailuoning group, on the latter two groups the models of Hemifacial spasm were made by the temporal superficial artery closely contacting the main trunk of facial nerve at stylomastoid foramen. From the 5th week, the Saline and Mailuoning were injected intravenously into ear margin for 2 weeks on Saline and Mailuoning group respectively. At the 7th week, the MDA and SOD in serum were measured, mean while the microstructure and ultrastructure of facial nerve were observed on 3 animal groups.

RESULTThe MDA decreased obviously (P < 0.05) and SOD increased significantly (P < 0.01) in Mailuoning group comparing with that of Saline group, while the MDA and SOD showed insignificant changes of Mailuoning group and control group. The facial nerve severely demyelinated and axons retrogressively changed in Saline group but mild in Mailuoning group.

CONCLUSIONMailuoning injection has a significant protective effect on the facial nerve demyelination of Hemifacial spasm and the very important applied value for therapy of Hemifacial spasm.