Effect of Ganmai Dazao Decoction on ethology of rats with PTSD and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the effect of Ganmai Dazao Decoction on the ethology of rats with posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and study the related mechanism through the changes in magnetic resonance imaging and protein expression. Sixty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely the normal group, the model group, the low(1 g·kg~(-1)), medium(2 g·kg~(-1)), and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups(4 g·kg~(-1)), and the positive control group(intragastric administration with 10.8 mg·kg~(-1) of fluoxetine), with 10 rats in each group. Two weeks after inducing PTSD by single-prolonged stress(SPS) in rats, the positive control group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule by gavage, the low, medium, and high-dose groups were given Ganmai Dazao Decoction by gavage, and both the normal group and the model group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage, each for 7 days. The open field experiment, elevated cross elevated maze, forced swimming experiment, and new object recognition test were carried out for the behavioral test. Three rats in each group were selected to detect the expression of neuropeptide receptor Y1(NPY1R) protein in the hippocampus by Western blot. Then, the other three rats in each group were selected to use the 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging experiment to observe the overall structural changes in the brain region and the anisotropy fraction of the hippocampus. The results of the open field experiment showed that the total distance and central distance of rats in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group, and the total distance and central distance of rats in the middle and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups were higher than those in the model group. The results of the elevated cross maze test showed that medium and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction remarkably increased the number of open arm entries and the residence time of open arm of rats with PTSD. The results of the forced swimming experiment showed that the immobility time in the water of the model group rats was significantly higher than that of the normal group, and Ganmai Dazao Decoction hugely reduced the immobility time in the water of rats with PTSD. The results of the new object recognition test showed that Ganmai Dazao Decoction significantly increased the exploration time of new objects and familiar objects in rats with PTSD. The results of Western blot showed that Ganmai Dazao Decoction significantly reduced the expression of NYP1R protein in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD. The 9.4T magnetic resonance examination found that there was no significant difference in the structural image among the groups. In the functional image, the fractional anisotropy(FA value) of the hippocampus in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group. The FA value of the hippocampus in the middle and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups was higher than that in the model group. Ganmai Dazao Decoction reduces the injury of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the expression of NYP1R in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD, thereby improving the nerve function injury of rats with PTSD and playing a neuroprotective role.

Research advances on baicalin and baicalein as potential therapeutic agents for fibrotic disease / 中国中药杂志

Tissue and organ fibrosis is the major cause for disability and death related to a variety of diseases worldwide. As specific therapies to halt, or even to reverse the existing tissue fibrosis are not yet available, it is of great significance to find new anti-fibrosis therapeutic agents. Tissue and organ fibrosis is a nonphysiological scarring process, associated with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, and leads to impairment of organ function. Fibrotic lesions of all organs show similar histological abnormalities. In recent years, plenty of studies showed that Baicalin and baicalein had anti-fibrosis effects in different tissues or organs. In this paper, the effects and mechanisms of baicalin and baicalein on different organ fibrosis were reviewed. Baicalin and its aglycone baicalein had similarity in structural and pharmacological characteristics, with broad biotransformation effect within the body. The research suggested that baicalin and baicalein can suppress different tissue and organ fibrosis occurrence and development via various mechanisms, including down-regulating expression of promote-fibrosis cytokines, inhibiting pro-fibrogenic signaling pathways, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Though baicalin and baicalein are promising anti-fibrosis agents, there is still a long way to go before being approved as specific anti-fibrotic drugs.

Inhibitory effect of Glehniae Radix petroleum ether part on TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in A549 cells / 中国中药杂志

To study the inhibitory effect of Glehniae Radix petroleum ether part on TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer A549 and its possible mechanism. With type Ⅱ epithelial cells of lung cancer A549 as the research object, the experiment was performed in 5 μg•L⁻¹ TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition model,and blank control group, model group and Glehniae Radix petroleum ether group were set up. MTT assay was carried out to detect the effect of petroleum ether extract of Glehniae Radix on the survival of A549 cells. A549 cells induced by TGF-β1(5 μg•L⁻¹) was intervened by different polar parts of Glehniae Radix, Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) was used to analyze mRNA expressions of the epithelial mesenchymal transition markers, such as ColⅠ,E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-SMA. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect hydroxyproline(HYP) level. The migration and invasion abilities of cells were detected through wound scratch assay. According to the experimental results, the petroleum ether extract of Glehniae Radix could inhibit the growth of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with model group, Glehniae Radix petroleum ether part group could effectively inhibit mRNA expressions of ColⅠ,Vimentin and α-SMA, but improve expression of E-cadherin.Glehniae Radix petroleum ether part could reduce the content of hydroxyproline in cells and inhibit the migration of A549 cells.Therefore, the petroleum ether extract of Glehniae Radix can effectively inhibit the occurrence of epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-β1 induced alveolar epithelial cells, and Glehniae Radix petroleum ether part may be a potential drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanism may be achieved through the regulation of ColⅠ, Vimentin, α-SMA and E-cadherin.

Acceleration of Jingui Shenqi Pill on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Jingui Shenqi Pill (JSP) on the testis telomerase activity in mice of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The SYDS model was prepared in 30 mice by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. They were randomly divided into the model group and the JSP group, 15 in each group. Another 15 normal male mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal group were fed routinely, with distilled water administered intragastrically at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g. Mice in the model group were also administered intragastrically with distilled water at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/10 g while modeling establishment. Mice in the treatment group were administered intragastrically with JSP suspension at 0.1 mL/10 g (the concentration was 0.241 g/mL). The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, the testis telomerase activity was detected in the three groups by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SYDS model was replicated successfully by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain. JSP could improve the signs of mice of SYDS. Compared with the normal group, the activity of testis telomerase decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the testis telomerase activity markedly increased in the treatment group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The testis telomerase activity in mice of SYDS caused by over-fatigue and sexual overstrain obviously decreased, when compared with that in mice of the normal group. JSP could recover its activity.</p>

Effect of maixinkang capsule on Ca2+ and mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells of ApoE(-/-) mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Maixinkang Capsule (MXK) on Ca2t concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells of ApoE(-/-) mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liver cells from ApoE(-/-) mice were separated using collagenase digestive method. After the primary cells were cultured for 8 days in vitro, the concentration of 10% MXK contained rat's serum was added into the culture fluid. The Ca2+ concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells after 48-hr culture were measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy with Flou-3 and Jc-1 as probes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MXK could decrease Ca2+ concentration in liver cells, which was significantly different to that in the control group (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, MXK could significantly improve mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells (P < 0.01). There was no obvious dose-effect relationship shown in both effects of MXK.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MXK can decrease Ca2+ concentration and improve the mitochondrial membrane potential in liver cells of ApoE(-/-) mice so as to regulate the lipids and prevent the occurrence and development of hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis.</p>