OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yougui Recipe, a kidney-supplementing and yang-activating formula which on the behavioral changes of rat of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH).

METHODSThirty Wistar rats were involved and were randomly divided into the blank control group (group A), the model group (group B) and the Yougui Recipe group (group C). SANFH models were established by injection of colibacillus endotoxin and prednisolone intramuscularly. Group C was lavaged with Yougui Recipe (10 ml/kg), while group A and group B were lavaged with the same amount of saline. The behavior of catch force, independent activities, the tail suspension, field experiment and water cleans maze experiment were observed after 6 weeks.

RESULTSCompared with Yougui Recipe, rats in model group: catch force and independent activity decreases; the tail suspension activities was less time. In the desert field experiments, the total distance in 10 min movement reduced significantly. In the water maze experiment, incubation period of escape had a long time obviously, total distance of activities reduced.

CONCLUSIONYougui Recipe can relieve the ethologic change of rat model of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head.