[Garlicin ameliorated pressure overload induced myocardial fibrosis in rats through partial inhibiting TGF-beta1 mediated Smads signal].

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether garlicin could ameliorate pressure overload induced myocardial fibrosis in rats through partial inhibiting transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) mediated Smads signal. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i. e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the garlicin group, and the Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) group, 10 in each group. The pressure overload induced myocardial fibrosis rat model was prepared using coarctation of aorta. Three days after modeling 5.0 mg/kg garlicin injection was administered to rats in the garlicin group, 20 mg/kg TMP injection to rats in the TMP group by peritoneal injection, while normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. Four weeks after medication, the changes of myocardial collagen were observed by picrosirius red staining. The myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular collagen areas (PVCA) were calculated. The serum transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression was detected using ELISA. The TGF-beta1 protein expression in the myocardial tissue was observed using immunohistochemical assay. The changes of myocardial Smad2 and Smad7 mRNA expressions were detected using Real-time RT-PCR. The effects of garlicin on TGF-beta1 mediated Smad Signaling through luciferase assay were further verified using Mv1 Lu-(CAGA) 12-Luc cell line response to TGF-beta1. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the myocardial levels of CVF and PVCA, the serum TGF-beta1 level, and the TGF-beta1 protein expression in the myocardial tissue obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the PVCA level, the serum TGF-beta1 level, and the TGF-beta1 protein expression in the myocardial tissue of the garlicin group and the TMP group obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P 0O 01). The Smad2 mRNA expression was up-regulated while Smad7 mRNA expression down-regulated in the model group. The Smad2 mRNA expression was obviously down-regulated in the garlicin group and the TMP group (P < 0.05). The Smad7 mRNA expression was obviously up-regulated in the TMP group (P > 0.05). One to 2 microg/mL garlicin could obviously inhibit the luciferase activities of corresponding TGF-beta1, under the stimulation of 2 ng/mL TGF-beta1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Garlicin ameliorated pressure overload induced myocardial fibrosis in rats through partial inhibiting TGF-beta-Smads signal pathway.

[Effects of garlicin on NIH3T3 cell proliferation and collagen synthesis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of garlicin on fibroblasts proliferation and type I collagen synthesis and explore its anti-fibrosis mechanism. METHODS: Garlicin was added into the culture fluid of NIH3T3 cell, taking Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae as the control medicine. The spiking of H3-thymidine DNA was detected, also the hydroxyproline (HOP) concentration in the culture fluid by alkali digestion method and the protein expression of type I collagen in NIH3T3 cells by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: The NIH3T3 cell growth and proliferation rate were obviously reduced after garlicin treatment concentration-dependently in range of 0.2 - 5 microg/mL; HOP level and protein expression of type I collagen also lowered. CONCLUSION: Garlicin could inhibit NIH3T3 cell proliferation, reduce the synthesis and protein expression of type I collagen so as to exert the anti-fibrosis effect.

[Outline for the theory of diagnosis and treatment based on the correlation between consciousness and organ].

Enlightened by the idea of correlation of mind and body in traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine, integrating his long-term clinical experience, the author brings forward a concise and practical theory for diagnosis and treatment based on the correlation between consciousness and organ in this article. This article includes:(1)introducing the conceptions of consciousness and organ;(2) pointing out the diagnostic and remedial meaning of the four kinds of condition about the correlation of sense and organ;(3) pointing out the diagnostic and remedial meaning of the five kinds of condition about the correlation of desire and organ;(4) how to select herbal and mineral drug to treat the disorders of consciousness and organ;(5) citing some examples to prove the diagnostic and remedial effect of the theory on intractable diseases.

[Monomer drug's special effect and application of western medicine based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine].

The concepts of monomer medicine and the Chinese traditional medicine were introduced in this article. The different effects of a monomer drug between different types of syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were explained based on the author's clinical experience and related literature. The aim, significance and methods about the application of western medical drugs according to the theory of TCM were pointed out. And the feasibility of the application was analyzed.