Effect of Ranae Oviductus on Follicular Development Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ranae Oviductus (RO) on ovarian follicular development， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway， and pregnancy function in rats, and the estrogen-like mechanism of OR. Method:Seventy female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a progynova+ luteohormone group (1 mg·kg^-1+40 mg·kg^-1), a clomiphene group (10 mg·kg^-1), and high-dose(400 mg·kg^-1) and low-dose(200 mg·kg^-1) RO groups. Rats were administered correspondingly by gavage for eight weeks. After seven weeks of intragastric administration, the estrus cycle of all rats was measured. After eight weeks of intragastric administration， four rats from each group were selected to give birth. For other rats, blood was collected on the day of estrus， and the serum levels of estradiol (E₂)，progesterone (P)， testosterone (T)， follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)， and luteotropic hormone (LH) were detected. Uterus and ovaries were extracted and weighed to calculate organ index. One ovary was made into pathological sections, and the follicles at different developmental stages and corpus luteum were counted. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）and Western blot were performed on the other ovary to detect mRNA and protein changes in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Forty female Kunming mice were randomly divided into a normal group and RO groups (400 mg·kg^-1) with 14 days， 28 days， and 56 days of intervention. Mice in the RO groups were raised with male mice in cages after intragastric administration of OR for 14， 28， and 56 days， respectively. After 18 days, the number of intrauterine fetuses on both sides and the number of stunted fetuses were counted. Result:After eight weeks of intragastric administration of OR， the rats showed decreased uterine index (<italic>P</italic><0.05)， declining serum LH (<italic>P</italic><0.05)， reduced luteum (<italic>P</italic><0.01)， dwindled primary follicles (<italic>P</italic><0.05)， and increased rate of follicle atresia (<italic>P</italic><0.01). Additionally， more luteal or interstitial glands degenerated into interstitial structures in the ovarian cortex in a short time. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt in the ovary were elevated (<italic>P</italic><0.01)， while the mRNA expression levels of mTOR and PTEN were reduced (<italic>P</italic><0.01). The phosphorylation level of Akt protein showed a downward trend without significant difference. For the rats， the number of fetuses was decreased (<italic>P</italic><0.05). The pregnancy rate of mice was decreased to varying degrees after administration of RO for different durations， with the lowest in the 14 day RO group， as low as 30%. After 28 days of intragastric administration of RO， the difference in left and right uterine pregnancy increased (<italic>P</italic><0.05). Conclusion:Long-term administration of RO can lead to premature ovarian failure by over-stimulating the ovary， which is similar to clomiphene. Short-term administration can result in decreased pregnancy rate， excessive ovulation on one side， and inhibition of ovulation on the other side. The influence on follicles needs further exploration.

Screening and Verification of Compatibility Proportion of Effective Components from Traditional Chinese Medicine of Diabetes / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To screen the best compatibility proportion of total alkaloids of Coptidis Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma total saponins (HS composition)by uniform design and pharmacological model and to observe the effect on diabetic complications. Method: The total alkaloids of Coptidis Rhizoma and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma total saponins were used as the research objects, U6(62) table was choosed for grouping design.The content of triglyceride fasting blood-glucose (FBG), prothrombin time (PT) and active partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was chosen as index. The best dose ratio was obtained by multipleregression analysis. Rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus induced by high-fat diet combined streptozotocin were divided into blank group, model group, metformin group (150 mg·kg-1), HS composition group (total alkaloids of Coptidis Rhizoma 360 mg·kg-1+ Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma total saponins 40 mg·kg-1). Rats were administered orally for 10 weeks.By observing the blood glucose, glucose tolerance,area under the curve (AUC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), hemorheological indexes and pathological changes of pancreas, heart, kidney and retina in rats of each group, the effect of this composition on diabetic complications was verified. Result: Combination of 625 mg·kg-1 total alkaloids of Coptidis Rhizoma and 60 mg·kg-1 Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma total saponins was the optimal dosage ratio of HS composition.The validation test showed that compared with blank group, the fasting blood glucose and lipid levels in the model group were significantly increased (PPPPPPPPPPPConclusion: The optimum compatibility dose of HS composition have a good therapeutic effect on diabetic complication rats induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin.