OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of modified Shaoyao Gancao decoction combined with acupuncture therapy on inflammatory factors in patients with acute ankle sprain.METHODS: Totally 100 patients with acute ankle sprain admitted into the hospital from Jan. 2020 to Jan. 2021 were extracted to be divided into the observation group（Shaoyao Gancao decoction + acupuncture） and the control group（compress combined with external application of diclofenac diethylamine emulgel） via the random number table

with 50 cases in each group. Both groups were treated for 10 d. The range of motion of plantar flexion

range of dorsiflexion

serum pain substances and inflammatory factors [interleukin（IL）-1β

IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha（TNF-α）] levels were compared between two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment

the range of motion of plantar flexion and range of dorsiflexion in two groups were improved compared with those before treatment

and the improvement in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group

with statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. After treatment

neuropeptide

nerve growth factor and substance P in all patients decreased significantly compared with those before treatment

and the reduction in the observation group was greater than that in the control group

with statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. After treatment

the levels of IL-1β

IL-6 and TNF-α in all patients decreased significantly compared with those before treatment

and the reduction in the observation group was greater than that in the control group

the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: Shaoyao Gancao decoction combined with acupuncture can significantly improve the symptoms and clinical efficacy of patients with acute ankle sprain

which may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors and pain substances.