Mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in improving renal inflammatory injury in mice with DN of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome by regulating ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction on diabetic nephropathy(DN) mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome based on the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)/IκB kinase(IKK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway. Ninety-five 7-week-old db/db male mice and 25 7-week-old db/m male mice were fed adaptively for one week. The DN model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was induced by Dahuang Decoction combined with hydrocortisone by gavage, and then the model was evaluated. After modeling, they were randomly divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups(33.8, 16.9, and 8.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and an irbesartan group(25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with at least 15 animals in each group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. After the intervention, body weight and food intake were measured. Serum crea-tinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary albumin(uALb), and urine creatinine(Ucr) were determined. The uALb/Ucr ratio(ACR) and 24 h urinary protein(UTP) were calculated. Renal pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of key molecular proteins in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased content of BUN, uALb, and SCr, increased values of 24 h UTP and ACR, decreased content of Ucr(P<0.05), enlarged glomeruli, thickened basement membrane, mesangial matrix proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition. The protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, phosphorylated IKK(p-IKK), phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB(p-IκB) increased(P<0.05), while the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB) decreased(P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased(P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the groups with drug treatment showed decreased levels of BUN, uALb, SCr, 24 h UTP, and ACR, increased level of Ucr(P<0.05), and improved renal pathological status to varying degrees. The high-and medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups and the irbesartan group showed reduced protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, p-IKK, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB in the kidneys(P<0.05), increased protein expression of IκB(P<0.05), decreased levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and increased level of IL-10(P<0.05). Zhenwu Decoction can significantly improve renal function and renal pathological damage in DN mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response by down-regulating the expression of key molecules in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway in the kidney.

Effect of Zhenwu Decoction on electrical remodeling of cardiomyocytes in heart failure via I_(to)/Kv channels / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in the treatment of heart failure by regulating electrical remodeling through the transient outward potassium current(I_(to))/voltage-gated potassium(Kv) channels. Five normal SD rats were intragastrically administered with Zhenwu Decoction granules to prepare drug-containing serum, and another seven normal SD rats received an equal amount of distilled water to prepare blank serum. H9c2 cardiomyocytes underwent conventional passage and were treated with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) for 24 h. Subsequently, 2%, 4%, and 8% drug-containing serum, simvastatin(SIM), and BaCl_2 were used to interfere in H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h. The cells were divided into a control group [N, 10% blank serum + 90% high-glucose DMEM(DMEM-H)], a model group(M, AngⅡ + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a low-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z1, AngⅡ + 2% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 8% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z2, AngⅡ + 4% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoc-tion + 6% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a high-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z3, AngⅡ + 8% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 2% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), an inducer group(YD, AngⅡ + SIM + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), and an inhibitor group(YZ, AngⅡ + BaCl_2 + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H). The content of ANP in cell extracts of each group was detected by ELISA. The relative mRNA expression levels of ANP, Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein expression of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 was detected by Western blot. I_(to) was detected by the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that Zhenwu Decoction at low, medium, and high doses could effectively reduce the surface area of cardiomyocytes. Compared with the M group, the Z1, Z2, Z3, and YD groups showed decreased ANP content and mRNA level, increased protein and mRNA expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2, and decreased protein and mRNA expression of Kv1.4, and the aforementioned changes were the most notable in the Z3 group. Compared with the N group, the Z1, Z2, and Z3 groups showed significantly increased peak current and current density of I_(to). The results indicate that Zhenwu Decoction can regulate myocardial remodeling and electrical remodeling by improving the expression trend of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP2, and DPP6 proteins and inducing I_(to) to regulate Kv channels, which may be one of the mechanisms of Zhenwu Decoction in treating heart failure and related arrhythmias.

Zhenwu Decoction:connotation interpretation based on severe cases and modern pathophysiological mechanisms and application in treatment of heart failure in critical care unit / 中国中药杂志

Zhenwu Decoction is recorded in Treatise on Febrile Diseases by an outstanding physician ZHANG Zhong-jing in the Han dynasty. With effect of warming yang, transforming Qi, and promoting urination, Zhenwu Decoction is mainly used to treat edema due to yang deficiency. The studies of the severe and critical cases and the pathophysiological mechanisms have demonstrated that the record of Zhenwu Decoction in Treatise on Febrile Diseases describes the clinical symptoms and therapeutic regimen of acute heart failure. The syndrome treated by this formula may be related to the misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. Due to the difficult distinguishing between cardiogenic dyspnea and pulmonary dyspnea, high doses of Ephedrae Herba may be misused for inducing sweating, which may finally lead to the acute aggravation of heart failure, electrolyte disorder, and pulmonary infection. The syndrome treated by Zhenwu Decoction can illustrate the lack of experience of ancient physicians in treating acute heart failure. The description of "trembling and shivering" may be the clinical manifestation of heart failure, which is an upgraded version of "trembling and shaking" treated by Linggui Zhugan Decoction.(1)In terms of diseases, Zhenwu Decoction is suitable for the treatment of acute or chronic heart failure, cardiorenal syndrome, and diuretic resistance. The decoction is especially suitable for treating whole heart failure, acute heart failure, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and heart failure with the syndrome of sold and dampness. In addition, it can be used to treat both type Ⅱ and type Ⅳ cardiorenal syndrome.(2)In terms of symptoms, Zhenwu Decoction can be used for treating chest tightness, palpitations, lower limb edema, difficult urination or increased urine output, fear of cold, pale fat tongue with teeth marks, white and slippery tongue fur, and deep or slow pulse.(3)In terms of the pharmacological mechanism, Zhenwu Decoction treats heart failure following the principle of promoting urination, expanding blood vessels, and invigorating heart in modern medicine. Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praparata is the sovereign herb in the formula, with the recommended dosage of 30-60 g. However, arrhythmia may be caused by high doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praparata, which should be used with concern. In addition to Zhenwu Decoction, Shenqi Pills, Renshen Decoction, Wuling Powder, and Fangji Huangqi Decoction with the effect of invigorating spleen, replenishing Qi, warming Yang, and promoting urination can be used in the recovery stage. The therapy of reinforcing Yang was the last choice for critical cases due to the lack of medical conditions, unclear clinical diagnosis in history, which should be treated objectively now.

Analysis on quality value transfer of substance benchmarks of Zhenwu Decoction / 中国中药杂志

By preparing 15 batches of Zhenwu Decoction substance benchmarks,the characteristic map,index component content and paste-forming rate were determined to define the peak attribution,similarity range,paste-forming rate range,paeoniflorin and6-gingerol content range and transfer rate range. The similarity between the substance benchmark characteristic map and the control map R generated from the 15 batches of substance benchmarks was higher than 0. 970. There were 19 characteristic peaks in total. By further summarization of the characteristic peaks,it could be seen that tuckahoe had 3 characteristic peaks,white peony root had 10 characteristic peaks,atractylodes had 3 characteristic peaks,ginger had 1 characteristic peak,and Aconite root had 3 characteristic peaks; among them,white peony root and aconite root had 1 common peak. The contents and transfer rates of the 15 batches were0. 50%-0. 93 and 16. 11%-26. 20%; those for 6-gingerol were 0. 018 2%-0. 033 9% and 13. 16%-24. 10%,respectively. The pasteforming rate ranged from 10. 00% to 14. 85%. In this study,the transfer process of substance benchmark value of classic formula Zhenwu Decoction was analyzed based on the characteristic map,the paste-forming rate and the content of the index components; a scientific and stable substance benchmark quality evaluation method was preliminarily established to provide a basis for subsequent development of classic formula Zhenwu Decoction and quality control of relevant preparations.

Effect of Zhenwu Decoction on chronic heart failure rats based on RAAS/NF-κB/ inflammatory factor cascade reaction / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction (ZWD) on chronic heart failure (CHF) rats. Methods: HPLC fingerprint of ZWD was established. All male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, the model group, the low, medium and high dose ZWD group (2.187 5, 4.375, and 8.75 g/kg) and the captopril group (10 mg/kg). Except for the sham operation group, the rest of rats were all established into the CHF model rats by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery, after 8 weeks, all rats were ig administration for 4 weeks. The hemodynamic, viscera index, HE dyeing test were conducted at the end of experiments. Serum angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone (ALD), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) were determinated by ELISA, and myocardial NF-κB protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Results: Higenamine, paeoniflorin, atractylenolide III, 6-gingerol and dehydrotumulosic acid, the five constituents of Zhenwu Decoction, were identified by HPLC chart. Compared with the model group, the administration of the ZWD significantly improved the hemodynamic parameters (P < 0.05), reduced the organ index (P < 0.05) and improved myocardial injury, reduced the serum Ang II, ALD, NF-κB, NT-proBNP, TNF-α and IL-6 levels and the myocardial NF-κB protein expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HPLC results provided an evidence for the quality control and pharmacodynamic substance of ZWD. ZWD can ameliorate CHF, which may be related to the inhibition of renin- angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)/NF-κB/inflammatory factor cascade reaction.

Zhenwu Decoction delays ventricular hypertrophy in rats with uremic cardiomyopathy / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zhenwu Decoction on ventricular hypertrophy in rats with uremic cardiomyopathy and explore the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Cardiocytes isolated from suckling rats were divided into control group and indoxyl sulfate (IS) group, and the protein synthesis was assayed with [H]- leucine incorporation and cellular protein expressions were detected using Western blotting. Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and low- and high-dose Zhenwu Decoction treatment groups, and except for those in the sham operation group, all the rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy. Four weeks after the operation, the rats in low- and high-dose treatment groups were given Zhenwu Decoction gavage at the dose of 4.5 g/kg and 13.5 g/kg, respectively; the rats in the sham-operated and model groups were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum levels of IS were determined, and cardiac and ventricular mass indexes were measured in the rats; cardiac ultrasound was performed and Western blotting was used to measure the expressions of BNP, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 and p-JNK in the myocardium.@*RESULTS@#Rat cardiomyocytes treated with IS showed significantly enhanced protein synthesis and increased expression levels of BNP, p-erk1/2, and p-p38 as compared with the control cells ( < 0.01), but the expression of p-jnk was comparable between the two groups. In the animal experiment, the rats in the model group showed significantly increased serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, 24-h urine protein (24 hUpro), plasma IS level, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and whole heart mass index (HMI) compared with those in the sham group ( < 0.01); Both LVESD and LVEDD were significantly reduced and LVAWS, LVAWD, LVPWS and LVPWD were significantly increased in the model rat, which also presented with obvious cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased myocardial expressions of BNP, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 and p-jnk ( < 0.01). Compared with the rats in the model group, the rats treated with low-dose and high-dose Zhenwu Decoction had significantly lowered levels of SCr, BUN, 24 hUpro and IS ( < 0.05) and decreased LVMI and HMI; LVESD, LVEDD, LVPWS, LVAWS, and LVAWD were improved more obviously in the high-dose group, and the myocardial expressions of BNP, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 and p-JNK was significantly downregulated after the treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Zhenwu Decoctin can reduce plasma IS levels and inhibit ventricular hypertrophy to delay ventricular remodeling in rats with uremic cardiomyopathy.

Effect of Zhenwu decoction in the treatment of acute heart failure and its influence on cardiac function, cardiomyocyte apoptosis factor and serum level of brain natriuretic peptide / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To explore the clinical effect of Zhenwu decoction in the treatment of acute heart failure(AHF), and its influence on cardiac function, cardiomyocyte apoptosis factor and serum level of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP).@*Methods@#94 patients with AHF were enrolled in the study.According to their treatment time number, 47 cases with odd numbers were selected as control group, who were given west medicine for treatment, while 47 cases with even numbers were selected as observation group, who were given Zhenwu decoction on the basis of control group.The clinical treatment effect of the two groups was evaluated, and the levels of BNP, soluble Fas(sFas), soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and cardiac function indicators including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), stroke volume(SV), left ventricular end diastole(LVEDd), left ventricular end of systolic diameter(LVEDs) before and after treatment were compared.@*Results@#The total effective rate of the observation group was 91.49%(43/47), which was higher than that of the control group 65.96%(31/47), the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ2=8.871, P<0.05). After treatment, the LVEF and SV in the observation group were (52.77±4.41)% and (79.00±6.54)mL, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group[(43.15±3.88)%, (69.22±4.80)mL], while the LVEDd and LVEDs of the observation group were (50.55±3.43)mm, (37.44±2.73)mm, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group[(59.52±4.02)mm, (42.04±3.20)mm], the differences were statistically significant(t=7.454, 7.042, 6.768, 6.890, all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of sFas, sFasL and TNF-α in the observation group were (2.65±0.30)μg/L, (0.21±0.08)μg/L, (1.20±0.13)ng/L, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group[(3.38±0.37)μg/L, (0.33±0.12)μg/L, (1.48±0.20)ng/L], the differences were statistically significant(t=6.438, 6.703, 6.185, all P<0.05). After treatment, the BNP level in the observation group was (252.77±27.43)ng/L, which was lower than that in the control group[(387.67±41.97)ng/L], the difference was statistically significant(t=6.870, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The curative effect of routine treatment of western medicine combined with Zhenwu decoction in the treatment of AHF is exact, which can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and cardiac function, reduce myocardial cell apoptosis and BNP level, and it has high clinical value, which is worthy of popularization and application.

Meta-analysis of supplemented Zhenwu decoction for treating congestive heart-failure / 中国中药杂志

The paper was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of supplemented Zhenwu decoction for treating congestive heart-failure. Three foreign language databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase and four Chinese databases including CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Database were retrieved from their establishment to July 2016 for all randomized control trials(RCTs) on supplemented Zhenwu decoction in treatment of congestive heart-failure. The references in the included RCTs were also traced. Literature selection and information extraction was completed and screened by two independent reviewers, and Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Totally 13 clinical RCTs were included in this study, involving 982 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that as compared with western medicine alone, the total effective rate of heart function could be improved by applying supplemented Zhenwu decoction based on the western medicine[RR=1.16, 95%CI (1.10, 1.22)], with increased ejection fraction[MD=7.12, 95%CI= (3.98,10.27)], increased cardiac activity index[MD=6.92, 95%CI (5.21, 8.62)], increased stroke volume [MD=11.18, 95%CI (6.04, 16.33)], and increased heart index[MD=0.50, 95%CI (-0.29, 1.30)]. Supplemented Zhenwu decoction combined with routine treatment could improve the clinical symptoms of congestive heart-failure. However, due to the low quality in methodology and reports as well as small sample size of included RCTs in this study, more randomized double-blind trials with a large sample size are still required to verify the efficiency of supplemented Zhenwu decoction for treating congestive heart-failure.

Protective effects of Zhenwu decoction on cardio-renal syndrome rats / 实用医学杂志

Objective To analyze the mechanism of interaction between cardiac and renal failure and observe the protective effects of Zhenwu decoction on cardio-renal syndrome rats. Methods The rats were divided into five groups: Sham group, MI (myocardial infarction) group, MI merger STNx group, MI intervention group, MI merger STNx intervention group. The first three groups were fed with saline (NS) for two weeks after surgery. The latter two groups of rats were fed with an equal volume of Zhenwu decoction. The cardiac function of rats in each group were evaluated , including the mass of heart , left ventricle and left kidney weights as a ratio of body weight, fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction. And serum levels of indoxyl sulfate and serum creatinine were also achieved. Results MI merger STNx could further aggravate the heart function, kidney function and left ventricular remodeling in rats. Zhenwu decoction could obviously improve the heart function, kidney function and left ventricular remodeling in rats. Conclusions Based on the MI models, STNx can worsen heart function and kidney function. Zhenwu decoction can significantly improve heart function and kidney function.

Effect of Zhigancao Decoction compared with Zhenwu Decoction on hemodynamics, serum MMP-9 , TIMP-1 and myocardial enzymesin in aged patients with chronic heart failure / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To compare the effect of Zhigancao Decoction and Zhenwu Decoction on hemodynamics, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and myocardial enzyme of elderly patients with chronic heart failure.Methods 40 elderly patients with chronic heart failure in the first affiliated hospital of the medical college, Shihezi university were selected and randomly divided into Zhigancao Decoction group (n=20) and Zhenwu Decoction group (n =20) .The both of two groups were given conventional treatment, then were treated with respective drug according to different groups with two courses, one course of two weeks.The hemodynamic, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and myocardial enzyme spectrum indexes of two groups were compared post-treatment.Results After treatment, the indexes of hemodynamics in two groups were improved, hemodynamic indexes of Zhigancao Decoction recovered better than those of Zhenwu Decoction (P<0.05) .The serum MMP-9, MMP-9/TIMP-1 of Zhigancao Decoction group were lower and TIMP-1 was higher than those of Zhenwu Decoction group (P<0.05).The myocardial enzyme indexes in both groups were lower post-treatment, and the above indexes in Zhigancao Decoction were lower than those in Zhenwu Decoction group (P<0.05) . Conclusion Zhigancao Decoction could obviously improve the symptoms of chronic heart failure in elderly patients, which has the guiding significant in the clinical treatment.

Short-term clinical effect of Zhenwu decoction combined with taxol and carboplatin (TC) in treatment of post-operative patients with ovarian cancer / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To observe and analyze the short-term clinical effect of Zhenwu decoction combined with taxol and carboplatin (TC) in treatment of post-operative patients with ovarian cancer.Methods The clinical data of eighty-six post-operative patients with ovarian cancer from June 2014 to June 2015 in our hospital were retrospective analyzed, and randomly divided into control group and treatment group, 43 cases in each group.The control group received TC treatment and treatment group received Zhenwu decoction on the basis of control group with two courses, 21d of one course. The clinical effect were compared between two groups post-treatment.Results After treatment, the total efficacy in treatment group was higher than that in control group (88.37%vs.65.11%;χ2 =6.515,P0.05), the reducing rate of life quality was lower (4.65%vs.41.86%;χ2 =10.030,P<0.05), the effect of Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was higher (93.02% vs.72.09%;χ2 =6.541, P<0.05), the complication rate was lower (4.65% vs.18.60%;χ2 =4.074,P <0.05).Conclusion The clinical effect of Zhenwu decoction combined with taxol and carboplatin (TC) in treatment of post-operative patients with ovarian cancer was satisfying, which could improve prognosis and improve survival rate.

Protective effects of Jiawei Zhenwu decoction on rats with heart failure induced by adriamycin and its mechanism / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore the protective effects of Jiawei Zhenwu decoction on rats with heart failure induced by adriamycin and its mechanism.Methods The heart failure was established with adriamycin by tail intravenous injection.3 mg/kg of adriamycin was injected on 1st, 3rd and 5th week and 2 mg/kg of adriamycin was injected on 2nd, 4th and 6th week, a total of 6 times.60 rats were randomly divided into six groups, 10 rats in each group: blank control group, model group, low-, middle-and high-does Jiawei Zhenwu decoction(40,20,10 g/kg, intragastric administration), and hydrochlorothiazide group(positive drug group, 10.78 mg/kg, intragastric administration).The overt behavior was observed and 24 h urine volume, Na +, K +and Cl-content in urine, cardiac function and levels of angiotensin(AngⅡ), aldosterone(ALD) and antidiuretic hormone(ADH) in plasma were compared among each group.After the rat were sacrificed, the heart was taken out and stained by HE to analyse histopathologic examination. Results The spontaneous activity and ingestion of rats improved after given Jiawei Zhenwu decoction.The 24h urine volume, Na +, K +content in urine increased of low-, middle-and high-does Jiawei Zhenwu decoction at different degrees ( P<0.05 ) , while there were no significant changes of Cl -contents; left ventricular end dilated pressure(LVEDP) decreased, left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax increased in low-, middle-and high-does Jiawei Zhenwu decoction at different degrees(P<0.05);the plasma levels of angiotensin(AngⅡ), aldosterone(ALD) and antidiuretic hormone(ADH) decreased(P<0.05).The pathological examination result showed that there was significant damage of myocardial cell and infiltration of monocyte and lymphocyte, myocardial cell of high-dose group almost returned to normal and middle-and low-dose group have improvement to some extent.Conclusion Jiawei Zhenwu decoction could improve cardiac function, which may be related with the reduction of AngⅡ, ALD and ADH levels and promoting the excretion of Na +, K +so as to increase urine volume.

Protective effects of Zhenwu decoction on kidney injury of diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effects of Zhenwu decoction ( ZWD) on the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and NF-κB in diabetic nephropathy ( DN) rats.METHODS:Diabetic rat model was induced by intrape-ritoneal injection of streptozotocin ( STZ) , and the animals were randomly divided into STZ group ( n=22) and STZ+ZWD group (n=23).The normal rats served as control (n=16).All rats were sacrificed on 8 weeks after modeling.Biochemical assay and pathological observation ( HE staining and transmission electron microscopy ) were used to evaluate the effects of Zhenwu decoction on the renal function and pathological morphology .The body weight , renal index , blood glucose , total urinary protein in 24 h, and superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) , malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) were determined as well .Western blotting was used to observe the effects of Zhenwu decoction on the expression ofα-SMA and NF-κB in diabetic nephropathy ( DN) rats.RESULTS:Compared with normal group , the renal index , blood glucose concentration, total urinary protein in 24 h, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr) and MDA were significantly higher and body weight was lower in DN rats (P<0.05).Pathological examination of the kidneys in DN group showed glomerular hypertrophy , glomerular basement membrane thickening , tubular epithelial cell degeneration , me-sangial matrix proliferation , protein cast formation in some renal tubules .The protein expression levels of α-SMA and NF-κB were markedly increased (P<0.05).After ZWD treatment, the level of renal index, total urinary protein in 24 h, BUN, SCr and the expression of α-SMA and NF-κB at the protein level were significantly decreased (P<0.05).The renal histological injury in ZWD group was significantly ameliorated .CONCLUSION: Zhenwu decoction might protect kidney against STZ-induced injury via decreasing the expression of α-SMA and NF-κB.

Effect of Different Compatibility of Aconite and Peony in Zhenwu Decoction on Renal Inflammation in Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the intervention effect of different compatibility of aconite and peony in Zhenwu Decoction on experimental nephritis in rats, and explore the connotation of suitable fire and evil fire. Methods Sixty experimental rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, valsartan group, high aconite and low peony group, aconite and peony equivalent group, low aconite and high peony group. All rats except the blank group were made glomerulonephritis model by tail vein injection of monoclonal antibody 1-22-3. Rats were gived continuous gavage administration (blank group and model group were lavaged with NS) after modeling, and killed 2 weeks later. The morphological change of kidney tissues and serum hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 levels were observed. Results The valsartan group, aconite and peony equivalent group, low aconite and high peony group inhibited the rats mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion significantly, so as the level of hs-CRP, TNF-αand IL-6. The effect of aconite and peony equivalent group was better than low aconite and high peony group, but inferior to valsartan group, while high aconite and low peony group accelerated the progress of the disease. Conclusion The different compatibility of aconite and peony in Zhenwu Decoction has resistance and proinflammatory effect on renal inflammation.