ReEnSta Alleviates Pain by Reducing Postoperative Swelling and Blood Stasis After Open Surgery.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative swelling caused by surgical trauma is a major contributor to pain and delayed recovery. Traditional East Asian herbal formulations have long been used to promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. ReEnSta is a Korean herbal formulation composed of Prunus persica seeds, Carthamus tinctorius, Paeonia suffruticosa, and Massa Medicata Fermentata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postoperative swelling was induced in male Institute of Cancer Research mice by surgical incision of the hind paw. ReEnSta was administered orally at low, middle, or high doses. Paw swelling, mechanical allodynia, locomotor activity, histological iron deposition, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression were assessed. RESULTS: ReEnSta significantly reduced postoperative swelling compared with the control group. Median paw volume was most effectively reduced in the middle-dose group, with decreases of 59.1% at day 7, 62.3% at day 10, and 69.1% at day 14 (P < 0.01-0.001). Mechanical allodynia was also attenuated, with median withdrawal responses improved by 22.3% and 25.0% at days 10 and 14, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). Histological analysis revealed a 37.8-fold increase in iron deposition following surgery, which was significantly reduced by ReEnSta treatment (up to 2.2-fold reduction, P < 0.001). Median Tnf-&#x3b1; mRNA expression was significantly suppressed in ReEnSta-treated groups, with the greatest reduction observed at the middle dose. No significant differences were observed in body weight or locomotor activity among groups. CONCLUSIONS: ReEnSta effectively alleviates postoperative swelling, bruising, and pain by reducing microvascular bleeding and inflammatory responses, supporting its potential as a safe herbal therapeutic or functional food for postsurgical recovery.