ABSTRACT
Rhubarb is well-known for its cathartic effect, and this cathartic effect, which is closely correlated with "whter" of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is brought into play in colon. Recent researches about the relation between formation and effects have identified that the anthraquinone glycosides with 1,8-dio-hydroxy and without hydroxyl in the 2, 3, 6, 7 location, such as emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, et al, can bring about fairly obvious effects of "Watery Diarrhea". Aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed abundantly in colonic epithelial cells, and the abnormal expression of AQPs can lead to the less absorption of water in colon and/or the more secretion of intestinal juice, which suggest that AQPs might be one kind of the effector molecules, which some drugs playing pharmacologic actions in colon depend on. This assumption provides a novel field of vision. Is this "Watery Diarrhea" effect induced by rhubarb concerned with the location alteration or the expression change of AQPs. We deduce that the regulative effects of AQPs by rhubarb in colon might provide a new pharmacologic explation about the cathartic effect through the exploration of TCM and Chinese herbal drugs, with TCM theory and the analysis of data about efficiency and pharmacologic researches of rhubarb and the researches of AQPs. This deduction might be used to reveal why rhubarb can bring about multi-efficiency.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cathartics , Pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Rheum , ChemistryABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protective effects of alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and its combination with Rad ix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM), Radix Bupleuri (RB), and Fructus Schisandrae Chi nensis (FSC) respectively on experimental hepatic injuries. Methods Hepatic injury models were established with the injections of carbon tetrac hloride (CCl4) or D-galactosamine(D-GlaN) into mouse, and then the therapeut ic agents at same dose were given respectively. The activity of cholinesterase(C hE) and alaline aminotransferase(ALT) in the serum and hepatic homogenate, the c ontents of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and reduced glut athione (GSH) in hepatic homogenate from all mouse were determined. The morpholo gic changes of the livers were also observed with VG staining. Results In CCl4 treated mice, serum ALT activity was increased markedly wh ile ChE acti vity decreased significantly. GL and GL+RB, GL +FSC could relieve these changes ; GL combined with all other agents could inhibit the GSH accumulation, but only GL+FSC had a suppressive effect on MDA increase and made it return to normal. For D-GlaN treated mice, all agent groups had little effect on the activity of ChE; Only GL dramatically reduced the increased activity of ALT; GL +RSM could e liminate the GSH, but not significant; GL and all GL combinations could decrease the increased MDA (P<0.01). Pathological observation showed that hepatocyte damage in GL group and GL+FSC group incline d to recover. Conclusion The results indicate that Ganoderma lucidum is an effective agent against hepatic injuries, especially combined wi th F ructus Schisandrae Chinensis, which may be associated with its anti-hepatocyte oxidation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protective effects of alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and its combination with Rad ix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM), Radix Bupleuri (RB), and Fructus Schisandrae Chi nensis (FSC) respectively on experimental hepatic injuries. Methods Hepatic injury models were established with the injections of carbon tetrac hloride (CCl4) or D-galactosamine(D-GlaN) into mouse, and then the therapeut ic agents at same dose were given respectively. The activity of cholinesterase(C hE) and alaline aminotransferase(ALT) in the serum and hepatic homogenate, the c ontents of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and reduced glut athione (GSH) in hepatic homogenate from all mouse were determined. The morpholo gic changes of the livers were also observed with VG staining. Results In CCl4 treated mice, serum ALT activity was increased markedly wh ile ChE acti vity decreased significantly. GL and GL+RB, GL +FSC could relieve these changes ; GL combined with all other agents could inhibit the GSH accumulation, but only GL+FSC had a suppressive effect on MDA increase and made it return to normal. For D-GlaN treated mice, all agent groups had little effect on the activity of ChE; Only GL dramatically reduced the increased activity of ALT; GL +RSM could e liminate the GSH, but not significant; GL and all GL combinations could decrease the increased MDA (P<0.01). Pathological observation showed that hepatocyte damage in GL group and GL+FSC group incline d to recover. Conclusion The results indicate that Ganoderma lucidum is an effective agent against hepatic injuries, especially combined wi th F ructus Schisandrae Chinensis, which may be associated with its anti-hepatocyte oxidation.