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The Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) metastatic mouse model was used to investigate the effects of gefitinib and Sijunzi Tang (SJZ) on pre-metastatic niche. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee which belongs to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. To generate spontaneous lung metastatic models, 1×106 luciferase-labeled LLC cells were injected subcutaneously in the shaved right flank of mice. One day after LLC inoculation, the mice were randomly divided into model (saline), gefitinib (50 mg·kg-1) treatment, SJZ treatment (25.74 g·kg-1), and co-treatment gefitinib with SJZ groups, with intragastrical administration. After 14 days of continuous administration, tumor size was detected by IVIS® Spectrum system. The number of monocytes and neutrophils and the expression levels of chemokine receptors (CXCR1, CCR2) and carcinogenic gene (c-Kit), in peripheral blood, spleen and lung tissues of mice were determined by flow cytometry. The contents of interleukin-IL-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 21 days of treatment, tumors were surgically removed, weighed and the tumor volume was measured with vernier caliper and the antitumor effect of co-administration was evaluated. After 45 days of administration, the survival of mice was recorded. The results of flow cytometry showed that the percentage of neutrophils in gefitinib group, SJZ group, and co-treatment group was significantly decreased in the lung tissue compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between three treatment groups (P>0.05). In the mouse peripheral blood and lung tissue, compared with the model group, the expression levels of CXCR1, CCR2 and c-Kit on the surface of neutrophils and monocytes in SJZ group and co-treatment group decreased or decreased significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05). However, there was a significant increase in the expression level of c-Kit on the surface of monocytes (P<0.05). In the mouse spleen tissue, the expression levels of CXCR1, CCR2 and c-Kit in the gefitinib group increased significantly (P<0.05), while decreased significantly in SJZ or co-treatment group (P<0.05). The results of ELISA showed that the content of IL-1α in SJZ group decreased significantly in the plasma of the mice compared with the model group (P<0.01) and the content of IL-6 in co-treatment group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the gefitinib group, the content of IL-1 in the co-treatment group decreased significantly (P<0.05). In the tumor tissues of mice, compared with the model group, the content of IL-1α in the co-treatment group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Furthermore, the content of IL-1α in co-administrated group and IL-6 in SJZ or co-treatment group decreased significantly compared with the gefitinib group (P<0.05). After 21 days of continuous administration, the tumor inhibition rates of gefitinib group, SJZ group and co-administrated group were 45.7%, 38.4%, and 84.8%, respectively. After 45 days of administration, the survival rate of the model group was 0%, whereas the gefitinib, SJZ or co-treatment group has a survival rate of 40%, 60%, or 60%, respectively. In summary, our study illustrated that Sijunzi Tang could improve the anti-tumor effect of gefitinib by regulating pre-metastatic niche.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of modified Sijunzi Tang on protein and mRNA expressions of Occludin, Claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) in cerebral ischemia rats. Method:Totally 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, edaravone group, small-dose modified Sijunzi Tang group, middle-dose modified Sijunzi Tang group and high-dose modified Sijunzi Tang group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was prepared by suture method. After 7 days of treatment, the modeling group was put to death. Western blot was used to detect the contents of Occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the ischemic cerebral cortex of rats. Detection of Occludin, ZO-1, Claudin-1 mRNA expression in the ischemic cortex of rats by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:Compared with the sham operation group, protein expressions of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1 in the model group were significantly down-regulated (PPPPConclusion:Modified Sijunzi Tang may protect the blood-brain barrier and reduce brain edema in ischemic stroke rats by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins Occludin, ZO-1 and Claudin-1.
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Objective:To observe the effect of Changji'an prescription on intestinal permeability in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats and explore its mechanism for treatment of IBS-D. Method:Male SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal group, model group, pinaverium bromide group(0.018 g·kg-1), high-dose(33.48 g·kg-1) and low-dose (16.74 g·kg-1)Changji'an prescription groups. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D model was established by the combination of maternal and infant separation+acetic acid stimulation+restraint stress. After drug treatment, the ultrastructure of rat intestinal mucosa was observed by using transmission electron microscopy and the plasma D-lactate level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-1 were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occluden(ZO)-1 were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:As compared with the normal group, the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells were damaged in IBS-D model group, and the microvilli arrangement was sparse and tight junction was widened, and some were not obvious,and the plasma D-lactate level in IBS-D rats was increased significantly (PPD-lactate level in pinaverium bromide group and high-dose Changji'an prescription group was significantly decreased (PD-lactate level in the low-dose group Changji'an prescription group had a tendency to decrease with no statistical difference. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA expression of ZO-1 in the colon of rats in each administration group were higher than those in the model group (PConclusion:The therapeutic effect of Changji'an prescription on IBS-D may be achieved by improving the intestinal permeability.
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Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of Sijunzi Tang(SJZT) and its single herbs(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Poria) on intestinal flora in spleen-deficient rats. Method:Normal rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Zhengchangsheng granules group, SJZT group and each single herb group, rats were orally administered Sennae Folium decoction to induce diarrhea for ten consecutive days to establish a spleen-deficient model(distilled water for the blank group), then treated with the corresponding drugs for seven consecutive days(distilled water for the blank group and the model group). Fresh feces were collected on pre-modeling(0th day), post-modeling(11th day), and post-treatment(18th day). Short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs) in feces were acidified by sulphuric acid and extracted by diethyl ether, then determined by gas chromatography. The structural change(diversity and similarity) of intestinal flora in feces was analyzed by 16S rDNA-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis(DGGE) technique. Result:Compared with blank group, the contents of SCFAs as well as diversity and similarity indexes of intestinal flora in feces of all administered groups were significantly decreased on the 11th day(PPth day, compared with model group, the contents of SCFAs as well as diversity and similarity indexes of intestinal flora in feces of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma group were significantly increased(PPPPConclusion:Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Poria are the single herbs responsible for the regulatory effect of SJZT on intestinal flora in spleen-deficient rats, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma may play a major role.
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Objective: To observe the changes of behavior and mitochondria in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats, and to explore the mechanism of Sijunzi Tang in the treatment of AD rats' behavior and the changes of mitochondrial energy metabolism in hippocampal neurons. Method: The 60 male SPF grade rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, low, medium and high dose group of Sijunzi Tang(3.24, 6.48,12.56 g·kg-1), and dihydroergot group (0.27 mg·kg-1), 10 rats in each group. The normal group received no intervention and had a normal diet. The rest of the rats were injected with D-galactose to the abdomen at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1 once a day for 6 weeks. Morris water maze experiment was used to detect the cognitive function of rats. Tm-Vision behavioral experiment system was used to observe the behavioral changes of rats, and the hippocampal neuronal line structure was observed by transmission electron microscope. Mitochondrial complex colorimetry was adopted to detect rats CⅠ, CⅡ, CⅢ, CⅣ activity.Western blot was used to detect the expression of mitochondrial adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) protein in the hippocampus. Result: Compared with normal group, model group rats latent escape period time increasing, through fewer, movement distance, movement time increasing, center residence time increased (PPPPPPPPPPPPConclusion: The abnormal behavior of AD rats may be related to the decrease of central hippocampal energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Sijunzi Tang has therapeutic effect.
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To investigate the effects of Sijunzi Tang, Lizhong Tang and Fuzi Lizhong Tang on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver cells through the nonalcoholic fatty liver cell model established by inducing L02 cells with oleic acid. Different concentrations of oleic acid were added into L02 cells to induce the nonalcoholic fatty liver cell model. Oil red O staining was used to observe fatty droplets of fatty liver cells. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the levels of aspartic transaminase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total cholesterol(TC), and triglyceride(TG) in the cell supernatants. There were five groups, namely normal group, model group, model and Sijunzi Tang group, model and Lizhong Tang group, and model and Fuzi Lizhong Tang group. The cell proliferation and apoptosis of the five groups were detected by MTT colorimetry test and flow cytometer. The expressions of PCNA, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, cleaved caspase-9, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins of the five groups were detected by Western blot. The oil red O staining results showed that the optimum concentration of oleic acid that was used to induce nonalcoholic fatty liver cell models was 80 mg•L-1. The levels of AST, ALT, TC and TG in the nonalcoholic fatty liver cell supernatants were higher than that in normal liver cell supernatants(P<0.01). MTT colorimetry test and flow cytometer results showed that all of Sijunzi Tang, Lizhong Tang and Fuzi Lizhong Tang could effectively promote the cell proliferation, and inhibit the cellular apoptosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver cells(P<0.01). And Fuzi Lizhong Tang showed the best effect. Western blot results showed that Sijunzi Tang, Lizhong Tang and Fuzi Lizhong Tang could down-regulate the expressions of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, cleaved caspase-9 and Bax proteins, and up-regulate the expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins of nonalcoholic fatty liver cells. And Fuzi Lizhong Tang showed the best effect. In conclusion, all of Sijunzi Tang, Lizhong Tang and Fuzi Lizhong Tang could effectively promote the cell proliferation, and inhibit the cellular apoptosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver cells. And Fuzi Lizhong Tang showed the best effect. The pharmacodynamic mechanism may be related to the expressions of key factors in pathways related with proliferation and apoptosis mediated by the three decoctions.
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Objective To observe the effects of Lizhong Wan and Sijunzi Tang on spleen deficiency induced by reserpine in rats. Methods Active movement of rats was measured with Active-movement equipment (invented by Shan Zengyu, Institute of Basic Theory, CACMS) and analysis & collection system of physiological signal. Results Active movement of rats in normal, Lizhong Wan and Sijunzi Tang group was more than that of rats in model group significantly. Conclusion Lizhong Wan and Sijunzi Tang can increase the active movement of rats with spleen deficiency induced by reserpine.
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Objective To compare the effect of Sijunzi Tang and Yougui Yin on learning-memory ability and free radicals in aging rat model.Methods The aging rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose.The swimming time and error times in water maze test were observed and the free radicals SOD,MDA,NO,NOS in rat brain tissue were measured.Results Sijunzi Tang could shorten the rat swimming time in water maze test.Yougui Yin could increase SOD level and decrease MDA level in brain tissue of model rat,while Sijunzi Tang could decrease NO and NOS level.Conclusion Sijunzi Tang could improve the rat spatial learning and memory ability,and Yougui Yin could relieve the damage of free radical in brain tissue of the aging rat model.