AIM: To observe the effect the combination of hydrobromidum (654 2) and salviae miltiorrhizae on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: sixty two cases of DPN were given the normal treatment of diabetes. Based on the treatment, they were divided into three groups at random. The first group (n=24) was given the combinction 654 2 and salviae miltiorrhizae, the second group (n=20) was given 654 2 alone, and the third group (n=18) was given salviae miltiorrhizae alone. RESULTS: The effertive rates in the first, the second and the third group were 79.2 %, 45% and 27.8 % (P