Protective effect of licoflavone on gastric mucosa in rats with chronic superficial gastritis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective effect of licoflavone on gastric mucosa in rats with chronic superficial gastritis and explore the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rat models of chronic superficial gastritis was established by intragastric administration of 0.02% ammonia and long-term irregular diet. The rat models were then randomized into model group, vitacoenzyme group and 3 licoflavone groups of high, medium, and low doses. After 30 days of treatment, the gastric histopathology, mucosal lesions, scanning electron microscopy, mucin function production by the gastric mucosa epithelial cells, serum PGE(2) level and gastric microcirculation were assessed to evaluate the protective effect of licoflavone on gastric mucosa.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with normal control rats, the rat models of chronic superficial gastritis showed significantly higher gastric mucosal injury rate, histopathological scores and gastric mucin content. Licoflavone significantly ameliorated gastric pathology and increased serum PGE(2) level, enhanced acidic mucin secretion by the epithelial cells, and improved gastric microcirculation in the rat models.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Licoflavone feeding suppresses gastric mucosa injury, protects and restores the injured mucosa in rats with chronic superficial gastritis, and these effects are related with the up-regulation of serum PGE(2) level.</p>

Therapeutic effect of total glucosides of paeony on lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on lupus nephritis (LN) in MRL/lpr mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis were randomized into model group and TGP group. The urinary protein content was detected using Coomassie brilliant blue, and the serum levels of IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the renal pathology were examined microscopically, and the spleen and thymus were weighed to calculate the spleen and thymus indexes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 15 and 30 days after TGP administration, the urinary protein content in the TGP group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). TGP treatment significantly lowered the serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and ANA and the weight and index of spleen (P<0.05), resulting also in lessened renal pathology at 30 days after the administration. Compared to those before TGP treatment, the urinary protein content and the levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and ANA decreased significantly at 15 and 30 days after TGP administration (P<0.05), while in the model group, the level of anti-dsDNA increased significantly without obvious changes in urinary protein content or ANA. At 30 days after TGP administration, the urinary protein content was significantly lowered in the TGP group as compared to that at 15 days (P<0.05), but the antibodies showed no significant changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGP can reduce urinary protein content and serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and ANA, and lessen renal pathology in MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis, suggesting its therapeutic effect on lupus nephritis.</p>

Effects of the blood glucose-adjusting recipe on blood glucose and pancreas islet pathology in diabetic mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of a self-formulated blood glucose-adjusting recipe on blood glucose and pathology of the pancreas in diabetic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in mice by injection of alloxan through the caudal vein. The blood glucose-adjusting recipe was administered in the mice at the doses of 20, 10 and 5 g/kg for 21 days, after which blood glucose was determined and the sugar tolerance was evaluated, and the pancreas and islet pathologies were examined microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blood glucose-adjusting recipe at 20 g/kg significantly lowered the fast blood glucose in the mice, and at 20 and 10 g/kg, the recipe significantly lowered the blood glucose 2 h after glucose administration and increased the sugar tolerance. The pathological damage in the diabetic mice was alleviated after treatment with the recipe.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The blood glucose-adjusting recipe has a good effect in stabilizing blood glucose in mice.</p>

Changes in the hemodynamics of rats with immunological liver fibrosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes in the hemodynamics of rats with immunological liver fibrosis and explore the pathogenesis of "blood stasis" in liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat models of liver fibrosis were established by multiple intraperitoneal injections of pig serum. The hematocrit, blood viscosity at the shear rate of 150/s, 30/s, 5/s, and 1/s, serum markers for liver fibrosis, and serum transaminase levels were measured in the control and model rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The hematocrit, blood viscosity at different shear rates, hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procollagen type III (PCIII), type IV collagen (CIV), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) increased significantly in the rats with experimental liver fibrosis appeared as compared with those in the control rats. Positive correlations were noted between blood viscosity at different shear rates and serum concentrations of the fibrosis markers (HA, LN, PCIII, and CIV) in the model rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The changes in the hemodynamics in rats with immunological liver fibrosis suggests the role of "blood stasis" in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and provide experimental evidence for therapies to "activate the blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis" for treatment of liver fibrosis.</p>

Effect of Qingzhi soft capsule on blood lipid level and pathology of the fatty liver in hyperlipidemic rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qingzhi soft capsule, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on blood lipid level and the pathology of fatty degeneration of the liver in rats with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were subjected to daily intragastric administration of a high-cholesterol emulsion (10 ml/kg) every morning to induce hyperlipidemia. The rats with established hyperlipidemia were then randomized into 4 groups and received every afternoon intragastric administration of high-dose (150 mg/kg) and low-dose (75 mg/kg) Qingzhi capsule, Xuezhikang (150 mg/kg, positive control ), and distilled water of the same volume (model group), respectively. A normal control group was also used in which the rats were given only distilled water in the same manner. After 21 days of treatment, all the rats were sacrificed for determining the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels as well as the atherosclerosis index (AI). The liver of the rats was taken for examination of the pathology of fatty degeneration under microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TC and TG levels in both of the Qingzhi capsule groups were significantly lower than those in the hyperlipidemic model group, but no significant differences were noted in HDL-C and LDL-C levels between the Qingzhi and model groups. AI was markedly lower in the two Qingzhi groups than in the model group. Pathological examination of the liver showed milder hepatic pathology of fatty degeneration in the Qingzhi groups than in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qingzhi soft capsule can modulate the blood lipid levels, ameliorate the hepatic pathology of fatty degeneration and lowers AI in in hyperlipidemic rats.</p>

Protective effects of Hongbeiyegen against immunological liver injury in mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of Hongbeiyegen (HBYG) against immunological liver injury induced by bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunological liver injury was induced in rats by BCG and LPS injected via the tail vein. The liver index, thymus index and spleen index were calculated and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and nitric oxide (NO) and liver homogenate contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBYG significantly improved the liver index, thymus index and spleen index, and reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST and NO, and as the liver homogenate contents of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBYG offers obvious protective effects against immunological injury liver in mice.</p>

Therapeutic effect of Hongbeiyegen on alcohol-induced rat hepatic fibrosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of Hongbeiyegen [the root of Alchornea trewioides(Benth.) Muell.-Arg.] on alcohol-induced liver fibrosis (AF) in rats and explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In rats with AF, the serum levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected along with examination of the changes in serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procolagen type III (PC III), collagen type IV (C IV), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (AST) levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, Hongbeiyegen could significantly reduce the levels of TGFbeta1, TIMP-1, HA, LN, PC III, CIV, ALT and AST in rats with AF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hongbeiyegen can relieve and ameliorate liver fibrosis possibly by inhibiting the expression of TGFbeta1 and TIMP-1.</p>

Effects of Buyanghuanwu decoction on nerve proliferation in rats with sequelae of ischemic stroke / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of Buyanghuanwu decoction (BYHWD) in inducing nerve proliferation in rats with sequelae of ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of ischemic stroke sequelae was established by means of craniectomy in which the right common carotid artery was ligated with 4-0 silk thread followed by cauterization of the right middle cerebral artery. Programmed electric shock was administered 24 h after the onset of ischemic stroke for 2 h daily for 20 consecutive days. The rats in sham operation group were not subjected to ligation of the right common carotid artery or right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The rats in the treatment groups were given oral BYHWD for 15 consecutive days. All the rats received repeated intraperitoneal injections of the cell proliferation-specific marker 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and the intake of BrdU in the cerebral tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the cerebral tissues of BYHWD-treated rats was significantly greater than that in the untreated model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BYHWD can promote nerve proliferation in rats with ischemic stroke sequelae.</p>

Effect of saikosaponins on glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in hippocampal astrocytes of pentetrazole-induced chronic kindling rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of saikosaponins, the active ingredients of Bupleurum chinense DC, on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in hippocampal astrocytes of chronic kindling rats induced by pentetrazole (PTZ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 6 equal groups, namely the blank control group (Group A), normal saline group (Group B), sodium valproate group (Group C), and 3 saikosaponins groups of high, medium and small doses (Groups D, E, and F, respectively). The rats (except those in Group A) received intraperitoneal injection of PTZ to induce chronic kindling 1 h after the respective agents as indicated were administered intragastrically on a daily basis for 4 consecutive weeks. Upon completion of the treatment course, the rats were sacrificed and the brain tissues were sampled, sliced and stained for immunohistochemical examination. The results were analyzed to calculate the positive cell count, cross-sectional area of the cells and the gray scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group B, the positive cell population and cross-sectional area of the positive cells were the greatest among the groups (P<0.01), but the positive cell gray scale of the CA1 and CA2 regions and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus was the lowest. The CA1 region of Group B was significantly different from that of groups A, C and D (P<0.01), and the CA2 region different from groups A, C, D and E (P<0.05), while the DG different from group F (P<0.05) and groups A, C, D and E (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In chronic kindling rats induced by PTZ, GFAP overexpression can be inhibited by saikosaponins, which suppress the abnormal activation of hippocampal astrocyte of the kindling rats.</p>

The effect of niaoduqing tablet on the diuresis in normal rats and the hemorheology in blood-stasis rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of the Niaoduqing Tablet(NDT) on the diuresis in normal rats and the hemorheology in rats of blood stasis and compare it with the Niaoduqing Granule(NDG), so as to provide some laboratory data for the clinic application and innovation of the dosage forms.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Diuretic effect of the NDT on experimental rats burthened with 1% Sodium deoxycholate was observed by using the metabolize cage examination. The changes of whole blood and plasma viscosity in the blood-stasis rat-model were measured with Viscometer-R80. Plasma was separated and fibrinogen measured by using the turbidimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Every dose of NDT had the diuretic effect on experiment rats, but only the big and middle dose increasing the urine quantity in 6 hours had the significance. Each dose could reduce the viscosity of whole blood and the fibrinogen in the blood-stasis rat model, and had the superiority to NDG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NDT has the diuretic effect and can ameliorate the hemorheology in the blood-stasis rat model, which may delay the course of the chronic renal failure (CRF).</p>

Laboratory study of the yi-fu-ning soft gelatin capsules in treating climacteric syndrome / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic mechanism of YFN on climacteric syndrome by investigating the effect of Yi-Fu-Ning soft gelatin capsules (YFN), which can nourish the kidney and activate blood, on serum sex hormone levels and hypothalamic monoamine transmitters contents in ovariectomized rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifty female mature Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:sham operation;ovariectomy(OVX);OVX with diethylstilbestrol tablets(DT);OVX with YFN(high dose and low dose). After drugs had been given for 4 weeks, hypothalamic monoamine transmitters (NE, DA, 5-HT, 5-HIAA) contents were detected by fluorospectrophotometric method and serum sex hormone by radioimmunoassay. Adrenal gland index, uterus index and thymus index were also determined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>YFN could obviously improve serum E2 and increase adrenal gland and uterus index in OVX rats (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). It could reduce hypothalamic 5-HT and 5-HIAA, which were increased in OVX rats(P < 0.01); It could also increase reduced NE and DA in OVX rats and reduce the ratio of 5-HT to NE and 5-HT to DA(P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YFN can regulate procreate endocrine in various ways and ameliorate the function of hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitter in OVX rats. So it can stabilize inner condition of body and relieve symptoms of climacteric syndrome.</p>