Effect of Astragali Radix Membranaceus in Promoting Blood Circulation and Its Modern Pharmacology Research / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Astragali Radix membranaceus is first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing, which has the effect in replenishing Qi and rising Yang, strengthening the body surface resistance, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, and supporting for detoxication and tissue generation. As an essential medicine for invigorating Qi and invigorating the spleen, it is often used in diseases, such as Qi deficiency and fatigue, spleen deficiency diarrhea and so on, and has been well known by doctors. In recent years, scholars have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms in replenishing Qi, invigorating spleen and promoting water. However, Tao Hongjing first recorded that Astragali Radix membranaceus can " clear the evil blood between the five organs" . In Bencaojing Jizhu, this herbal medicine has the effect in promoting blood circulation at the same time. At present, traditional Chinese medicine often explains the mechanism of this herbal medicine in promoting blood circulation based on the theory of " replenishing Qi and activating blood circulation" and " blood circulation due to Qi circulation" , which however is not equivalent to the fact that this herbal medicine has no blood circulation effect. By summarizing the records of Astragali Radix membranaceus in the herbal literatures of the previous dynasties, it was found that its promoting blood circulation effect was widely used. In summary of the applications of traditional prescriptions and modern prescriptions in promoting blood circulation, Astragali Radix membranaceus can remove obstruction and activate blood circulation, activate blood and promote diuresis, activate blood circulation and strengthen the body resistance, which can best reflect the effect in activating blood circulation of this medicine. Modern pharmacology shows that Astragali Radix membranaceus has a good regulatory effect on the molecular mechanism of blood stasis pathological indexes by activating blood circulation. Due to no in-depth research, there is still room for study. Therefore, this paper thoroughly explores the mechanism of action of Astragali Radix membranaceus in promoting blood circulation by summarizing the effects of Astragali Radix membranaceus in literatures of previous dynasties and modern pharmacological studies, in order to expand the clinical application of Astragali Radix membranaceus and provide theoretical guidance for clinical treatment.

Effect of sophocarpine on HERG K+ channels / 药学学报

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the rapid component of the cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current, which has an important effect on both proarrhythmia and antiarrhythmia. To investigate the effect of sophocarpine (SC) on HERG channel stably expressing in human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK293) cells, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record HERG current and kinetic curves. As the result, it was found that SC inhibited HERG current in a concentration-dependent manner (10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1)). At 0 mV, 10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1) SC respectively inhibited IHERG by Istep ( 10.7 +/- 2.8)% , (11.3 +/- 5.5)% , (47.0 +/- 2.3)% and (53.7 +/- 2.5)% , and Itail (1.1 +/- 3.0)%, (17.1 +/- 3.3)%, (32.7 +/- 1.9)% (P < 0.05, n = 12) and (56.0 +/- 2.4)% (P < 0.05, n = 13). The time constants of inactivation, recovery from inactivation and onset of inactivation were accelerated. SC did not change other channel kinetics (activation and deactivation). It is concluded that SC inhibited the transfected HERG channels by influencing the inactivation state, which is the probable anti-arrhythmic mechanism.

Effect of Daming capsule on expression of connexin43 isoforms in hyperlipemic rat's cardiac muscle / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find the molecular mechanism of decreasing blood fat effect of Darning capsule on hyperlipemic rat, we study the expression of connexin43 in the myocardium before and after using the capsule.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 group: control group, hyperlipemia model group, Daming capsule group of high dose, middle dose and low dose (200, 100, 50 mg kg(-1) d(-1)). Each group had 8 rats. Hyperlipemic rat model was made firstly, the blood was obtained via vena caudalis and the indexes of TC, TG, LDL, HDL and NEFA in the serum were measured. The myocardial total RNA was extracted by Trizol method. To compare the expression of connexin43 in the following groups: hyperlipemia, normal and drug, we used the technique of RT-PCR, immunostaining and microconfoul.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The concentrations of TC, TG, LDL and NEFA in hyperlipemic serum were increased (P <0. 05), while that of HDL was decreased (P <0. 05). After treating with Daming capsule, the concentration of the preceding four indexes were decreased and the concentrations of HDL was increased up to nearly normal level. No significant difference was found in the ECG of the three groups. As compared with the normal group, the mRNA expressions of connexin43 in hyperlipemia group was weakened (P <0.05), while that of the drug group was enhanced(P <0.05). The same result in immunostaining was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hyperlipemic rat model was successfully established and Daming capsule has the effect of lowering blood lipid. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of Darning capsule is related with the change of Cx43 closely.</p>