Different biological expression characteristics of pungent-hot and bitter-cold herbs on Yang-deficiency rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To initially explore the drug biological characteristics of pungent-hot and bitter-cold herbs on the various functions of hypothalamus-hypophysis-target gland axises in Yang-deficiency rats, according to the pungent-hot herbs, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (ALRP), Curculiginis Rhizoma (CR), Cinnamomi Cortex (CC), and bitter-cold Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC), and Gardeniar Fructus (GF) and to investigate their biological expression characteristic on Yang-deficiency state. Methods: The decoctions of ALPR, CR, CC, PCC, and GF were ig administered to Yang-deficiency rats once daily for 7 d. The indexes of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS), cortisol (COR), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2) in serum of animals in each group were detected. Results: The T3, 17-OHCS, COR, T, and T/E2 values of Yang-deficiency rats in ALRP, CR, and CC groups were obviously increased, while E2 was decreased. ALRP and CC could significantly increase T4 of Yang-deficiency rats, TSH in Yang-deficient rats was decreased by CC, the COR of Yang-deficiency rats in CC and GF groups was decreased, and E2 in Yang-deficiency rats was decreased by CC. Conclusion: The pungent-hot herbs of ALRP, CR, and CC and bitter-cold herbs of PCC, GF show the different drug property in intervention of Yang-deficiency rats. The pungent-hot herbs have an obvious regulation on hypothalamus-hypophysis-target gland axises, while the bitter-cold herbs have no significant role.