[Establishment and effect observation on three kinds of Ti-Xu with constipation rat models].

OBJECTIVE: To establish three types constipation models with the syndrome of Xue-Xu, Yin-Xu and Yang-Xu in rats, and to compare the difference of colonic motility, colonic water metabolism, colonic mucus secretion and the level of aquaporin-2 (AQP2). METHODS: Forty Sprague Dawley rats, male and female in half, were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group(N), Xue-Xu with constipation group(XC), Yin-Xu with constipation group(YC) and Yang-Xu with constipation group(YAC). Bloodletting and loperamide were used to induce the Xue-Xu with constipation in rats, thyroxin and loperamide were used to induce the Yin-Xu with constipation in rats, ice-water stimulation and loperamide were used to induce the Yang-Xu with constipation in rats. Bloodletting was coducted once a week,drug was ad-ministrated orally to rats once a day for continuous 42 days. Rats'state, body weights, stool character, transfer time between mouth and anal, small intestinal propulsion rate were measured. The colon tissues of rats were stained with alcian blue-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) to analyze the changes of mucus secretion. The aquaporin-2 expressions in proximal and distal colon of rats were measured by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Compared to normal control group, weight-increasing speed of the rats were reduced in three models. The order of indepen-dent movement change was YC, XC and YAC. Solid stool appeared at 30 d, fecal scores were increased. Transfer time between mouth and anal was significantly extended, small intestinal propulsion rate were significantly decreased(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Water content in stool were significantly decreased in three type models(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the content of water in colon were decreased in XC and YAC group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The colonic gland and goblet cells were narrowed in some extent, the mucus excretion were decreased. The levels of aquaporin-2 expressions in proximal and distal colon of rats were increased(P < 0.05, P < 0.01), increasing order of AQP2 expression in proximal colon was YAC, YC and XC, increasing order of AQP2 expression in distal colon was YAC, XC and YC. CONCLUSIONS: Long term stimulation of complex factors could induce Ti-Xu with constipation animal model, and there were some differences in colonic motility, water metabolism, colonic mucus secretion and AQP2 in rats.

[Protective Effects of Angelica sinensis Volatile Oil on Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemia Mice].

Objective: To study the protective effects of Angelica sinensis volatile oil on atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemia mice. Methods: 60 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, fluvastatin group, and high-, medium- and low-dose groups of Angelica sinensis volatile oil. Normal control group were fed with normal diet, the other groups were fed with high fat diet, and treated orally Vitamin D3 (100 million IU/kg) daily for 42 d. At the 14th day after modeling, fluvastatin group were orally administrated fluvastatin (6.7 mg /kg), and high-, medium- and low-doses of Angelica sinensis volatile oil groups were orally administrated Angelica sinensis volatile oil (40, 20, 10 mg /kg) for 28 d, and the normal control group and model group were administrated equal volume normal saline. The activity state, body weight and the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in serum were measured. The atherosclerosis indexes (AI1, AI2), coronary heart index (R-CHR) were calculated. After the mice were killed, the heart, liver and abdominal aortas were taken. The mass of the heart and liver were measured, and the organ indexes were calculated; the tissues were fixed by formalin, embedded in paraffin, sliced, HE stained, and the histopathology changes were observed by microscope. Results: Compared with normal control group, the body weight of mice in the model group were decreased (P＜0.01), and the heart, liver indexes were significantly increased (P＜0.05), the levels TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C in serum and AI1, AI2 and R-CHR were significantly increased after modeling 42 d (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice body weight were significantly increased, and the heart, liver index were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) in the high-, middle-dose group of Angelica sinensis volatile oil groups; the TC, TG and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased in low-dose group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); AI1 and R-CHR were significantly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) in all Angelica sinensis volatile oil groups, but the AI2 in the high-dose group of Angelica sinensis volatile oil was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). The histopathology results showed that Angelica sinensis volatile oil could relieve the fatty degeneration of hepatic cells and the injury of thoracic aortic intimae, and myocardial fibrosis, which could inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Conclusion: The certain protective effects of Angelica sinensis volatile oil are determinated on atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemia mice.

[Therapeutic effects of ethanol extracts of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus mongholicus in diabetic gastroparesis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effects of the ethanol extract of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus mongholicus (1:2) in diabetic gastroparesis (DG) rats. METHODS: Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (200 mg/kg). DG was based on gastrointestinal motility index and the character of stool in diabetic rats. The metformin and cisapride mixed solution (containing met-formin 175 mg/kg and cisapride 3.5 mg/kg)was intragastric administrated in the positive control group, the ethanol extract of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus mongholicus was intragastric treated in the high dose (10. 5 g/kg) and low dose(5. 2 g/kg) group rats, 1/d for 42 consecutive days. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG) value and 24 h intake and drinking amount were detected at interval of 14 days. The gastrointestinal propulsion index, motilin (MOT), glucagon (GLG) and gastrin (GAS) contents in the blood were detected after the last administration. And then the gastric antrum smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal were observed in microscope. RESULTS: The general state and stool had been improved,and the body weight and 24 h intake were significantly increased, and 24 h drinking in the high and low dose groups at 28 d of administration were reduced. At the 42th day,the body weight and 24 h in- take were increased, 24 h drinking water and FBG were reduced, and the MOT, GAS and GLG contents were decreased in the high dose group. Gastric mucosa and gastric smooth muscle tissue morphology were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of ethanol extracts of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus mongholicus was obvious in DG rats. Its mechanism of action was associated with FBG, MOT and GAS levels decreasing.