[Effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis on airway mucus hypersecretion and the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in Yin-deficiency asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RADA) on airway mucus hypersecretion and the tumor necrosis factor-α/ nuclear factor- κB (TNF-α/NF-κB) signaling pathway in Yin-deficiency asthma mice. Methods: KM mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, ambroxol group and RADA low, medium and high dose (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) group(n=12). Ovalbumin and the thyroid gland were used to replicate the model of Yin-deficiency asthma. Asthma symptoms in mice , immune globulin E (IgE) , TNF-α , and the expressions of Mucin 5ac (Muc5ac) and NF- κB in lung tissue were observed under the intervention of RADA. Results: RADA at the doses of 2,4 and 8 g/kg could alleviate the asthma symptoms of Yin-deficiency asthma mice significantly, reduce the levels of IgE in serum and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibite the overexpressions of Muc5ac and NF- κB in lung tissue. Conclusion: RADA has significant anti-asthmatic effect. One of its mechanisms is to inhibit TNF-α/NF- κB signaling pathway and to alleviate airway mucus hypersecretion.

[Therapeutic effects of Dunhuang Liaofengxushouruo decoction on chronic heart failure in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Dunhuang Liaofengxushouruo decoction (LXD) (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on chronic heart failure(CHF) in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group(n=8):model group, captopril group and LXD(Traditional Chinese Medicine) high, medium and low dose group. Except the normal group, the rats were intravenous injected with adriamycin 2.5 mg/kg in one day for 6 weeks, the captopril rats were intragastric administrated by captopril 25 mg/kg, LXD high, medium and low dose groups were intragastric administrated by LXD of 80, 40, 20 g/kg for 6 consecutive weeks. The rats breathing, coat color, activity, body weight(BW) and time of exhaustive swimming were measured; Heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), maximal rate of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax or -dp/dtmax)of each rat were examined by Power Lab. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured; The rats were sacrificed and hearts removed for separation of left and right ventricle, the antioxidant activity and ventricular mass index were measured, left ventricular myocardium was administrated by 4% paraformaldehyde, HE staining, morphological changes were observed under microscope. RESULTS: Body weight of each group decreased, and time of exhaustive swimming decreased after modeling (P<0.01). At 28 days after administration, BW in high and middle dose of LXD groups were increased and the swimming time of rats in LXD high dose group was increased (P<0.05).At 42 days, BW in all of LXD groups were increased and the exhaustive swimming time of high and middle dose of LXD were prolonged (P<0.05), MAP was decreased and LVSP, +dp/dtmax or -dp/dtmax were increased in LXD high and middle groups. The LVEDP was decreased in high dose of LXD group(P<0.05,P<0.01). The levels of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in middle and low dose of LXD groups were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01), and the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum in LXD high and middle dose groups were lower. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were increased in all of LXD groups, and the LVMI and RVMI were decreased in high and middle dose of LXD groups(P<0.05,P<0.01). The pathological results showed that myocardial fiber arrangement and myocardial interstitial edema phenomenon were obviously improved in high dose of LXD group and CMD decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic effect of LXD on CHF by doxorubicin-induced in rats is confirmed, the mechanisms are associated with improved hemodynamics and myocardial tissue.

[Preliminary pharmacodynamics study on antiasthmatic action of butylphthalide in guinea pig].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-asthmatic effects of butylphthalide in guinea pig. METHODS: This research included isolated tra-cheal smooth muscle and in vivo animal experiments. Antispasmodic effects of butylphthalide at the concentrations of 1, 10, 100 mg/L were observed through spasmodical tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig induced by acetylcholine or histamine (n=10). After screened, the guinea pigs were divided into control group, model group, dexamethasone(DXM) group, high and low dose butylphthalide groups. The effects of butylphthalide on nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and asthmatic behaviors were observed on the asthmatic guinea pigs that were stimu-lated six times by the excitation fluid (1% ACh:0.05% Hist=1:1). RESULTS: Butylphthalide at the concentrations of 1、10、100 mg/L had an-ti-spasmodic effects on spasmodical tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig (15.08 ±7.68、42.41 ±13.54、77.56 ±24.82 to acetylcholine, 19.40 ±7.60、56.84 ±11.72、76.35 ±19.40 to histamine), which showed a certain dose-effect relationship. Butylphthalide could prolong asth-matic incubation period (53.3 ±13.2、33.1 ±13.0), improve asthmatic behaviors, reduce NO in serum (78.71 ±19.40、84.75 ±20.97) and ET-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (24.30 ±5.80、28.50 ±6.31) (P < 0.05, 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Butylphthalide has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to relieve abnormal increase of NO and ET-1.

[Effect of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis on experimental asthma in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (VOA) on experimental asthma in rat model based on abnormal immune functions of Treg cells. METHODS: After grouping, the asthmatic rats were developed through injecting OVA and AI(OH)3 for sensitization and then administering OVA aerosol for challenge, and the respiratory functions, asthmatic behaviors, IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (ELISA) and Foxp3 expression (immunohistochemistry) in lung of asthmatic rats were observed. RESULTS: VOA at the doses of 40-160 mg/kg could improve the respiratory functions and the asthmatic behaviors, and upgrade IL-10 levels in BALF and Foxp3 expression in lung of asthmatic rats. CONCLUSION: VOA has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to improving the lower immune functions of Treg cells.

[Effect of flavonoids from hedysari radix on pulmonary functions of pulmonary fibrosis rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of flavonoids from Hedysari Radix on pulmonary functions of pulmonary fibrosis rat and its mechanism. METHODS: 72 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, model group, prednisone group, Hedysari Radix flavonoids low, medium and high dosage group. The rat model was established by propelling bleomycin into bronchial tree through endotracheal intubation with laryngoscope. The pulmonary fanctions were measured. RESULTS: Hedysari Radix flavonoids could normalize the pulmonary functions of rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Hedysari Radix flavonoids can inhibit the process of pulmonary fibrosis.