Protective effect of crude polysaccharide from Pao-TianXiong derived from monkshood, against chronic renal failure in mice

Purpose: To investigate the effect of crude polysaccharide isolated from pao-tian-xiong on chronic renal failure in mice, and its monosaccharide composition. Methods: Male Kunming mice were orally treated with adenine (211.5 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, followed by either crude polysaccharides (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg), or positive drug solution (jinguishenqi pill, 2000 mg/kg) for another 7 days (each group had 15 mice). Mice in normal and negative control groups were given saline. Mental and physical states, blood urine nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr), kidney morphological changes and organ indices were determined. Histopathological examination of spleen and kidney tissues was also performed. The monosaccharide composition of crude polysaccharide was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Compared with negative control group, serum BUN (6.71 mmol/L vs. 8.61 mmol/L) and Cr (107.74 vs. 113.39 μmol/L) were significantly decreased by the crude polysaccharide isolate (p < 0.05), whereas epididymis index (0.2556 vs. 0.2135 %) and seminal vesicle index (0.5547 vs. 0.3945 %) were increased (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination showed that injuries to kidney, spleen, testis and epididymis decreased significantly. The crude polysaccharides contained mainly glucose, rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, mannose, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid and xylose, and their contents ranged from 0.7 to 65 %. Conclusion: These results suggest that the crude polysaccharides of Pao-tian-xiong ameliorates CRF symptoms in mice, thereby providing experimental evidence in support of its use as an anti-CRF drug

Comparative studies on the toxicological, antiinflammatory and analgesic properties of three sources of Xuedan in mice and their rapid identification by electronic tongue

Purpose: To compare the toxicological, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of three sources of Xuedan, viz, Hemsleya omeiensis (HO), Hemsleya giganth (HG) and Hemsleya dolichocarpa (HD) in mice, and to study their rapid identification based on electronic tongue (E-tongue).Methods: After 7 days of administration, the median lethal doses (LD50) of the three xuedan decoctions in mice were determined. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the three xuedans were evaluated in mice using xylene-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced pain. Furthermore, Etongue technology was used to identify HO, HG and HD. Principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factor analysis (DFA) were used to analyze the data acquired by E-tongue.Results: The median lethal dose (LD50) values of H. omeiensis, H. gigantha and H. dolichocarpa were 32.3, 17.4 and 13.7g/kg, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the anti-inflammatory effects of Xuedan were obvious in xylene-induced ear edema (p < 0.05), and pain sensation was significantly inhibited in acetic acid-induced writhing test (p < 0.05). Furthermore, E-tongue technology effectively identified HO, HG and HD.Conclusion: H. omeiensis exhibits the highest LD50 value and best analgesic effect among the three sources of xuedan. E-tongue technology is effective and rapid in identifying HO, HG and HD.Keywords: Xuedan, Hemsleya omeiensis, Hemsleya gigantha, Hemsleya dolichocarpa, Antiinflammation, Analgesia, Electronic tongu

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of principal lipid-soluble components of Pinellia ternate fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Meyerozyma guillermondii

Purpose: To study the differences in lipid-soluble compounds from naturally-fermented Rhizoma Pinelliae fermentata (BXQ) samples, and fermentation products of BXQ using pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Meyerozyma guillermondii. Methods: First, unfermented BXQ (CTFJ-Q), traditional, naturally-fermented BXQ (CTFJ-H), and fermentation products of BXQ using pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis (XJFJ), Aspergillus niger (MJFJ), and Meyerozyma guillermondii (JMJFJ) were obtained. Their lipid-soluble components were then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: GC-MS results showed that there were 26, 24, 27, 31 and 32 types of chemical components in CTFJ-Q, CTFJ-H, XJFJ, MJFJ and JMJFJ, respectively. Furthermore, PCA revealed that samples obtained using fermentation with pure cultures of the three microorganisms had unique chemical components. Conclusion: These results suggest that the microorganisms used for fermentation greatly influence the lipid-soluble components of BXQ. This finding is considered beneficial for the optimization of BXQ fermentation process

Effect of solvent fractions of crude extract of Liushenqu on gastrointestinal motility in guinea pigs, and the underlying mechanism(s)

Purpose: To study the effect of solvent fractions of the crude extract of liushenqu on gastrointestinal motility in guinea pigs, and the mechanism of action. Methods: The effects of solvent fractions of crude extract of liushenqu (LSQ) on receptors in guinea pig isolated small intestinal cells were determined by treatment with different receptor blockers, including diphenhydramine (0.067 mg/mL), atropine sulfate (0.064 mg/mL), propranolol hydrochloride (0.033mg/mL), phentolamine mesylate (0.04mg/mL) and ondansetron hydrochloride (0.048mg/mL), to investigate the possible pharmacological mechanism of action. Results: There was no significant change in the maximum amplitude of muscle tension before and after administration in the control group, petroleum ether fraction group, and dichlormethane fraction group, while muscle tension in the 95 % ethanol and n-butanol fractions significantly increased (p < 0.01). The mean changes in tension were significantly different from that of control group (p < 0.01), but ethyl acetate fraction showed significant intestinal muscle inhibition (p < 0.01). Addition of LSQ did not alleviate the inhibition caused by diphenhydramine, but it significantly reversed the inhibition caused by blockers of cholinergic muscarinic receptor, adrenergic alpha- and beta- receptors, and 5-HT receptor (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that n-butanol fraction is the most effective bioactive fraction of LSQ, while ethyl acetate fraction has the opposite effect. In addition, its mechanism of action is related to increase in the amplitude of small intestine smooth muscle contraction and acceleration of small intestine peristalsis

Effect of Massa Medicata Fermentata on the Gut Microbiota of Dyspepsia Mice Based on 16S rRNA Technique

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating indigestion and its related disorders. This study analyzes the effect of MMF on intestinal microorganisms in dyspepsia mice based on 16S rRNA technology. We take a dyspepsia model caused by a high-protein, high-calorie, high-fat diet. The 60 specific-pathogen free Kunming (SPF KM) mice were randomly divided into a model group n=12, an MMF group (LSQ group, n=12), a Jianweixiaoshi group (JWXS group, n=12), a domperidone group (DP group, n=12), and a blank group n=12. On the seventh day of administration, mice were fasted and deprived of water. After 24 h, take the second feces of stress defecation in mice under strict aseptic conditions and quickly transfer them to a sterile cryotube. This study comprehensively evaluates the α-diversity, β-diversity, flora abundance and composition of each group of miceʼs intestinal microorganisms, and their correlation with functional dyspepsia based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. After modeling, some dyspepsia reactions, proximal gastric relaxation reduction, and intestinal microflora changes were noted. Dyspepsia mice showed dyspepsia reactions and proximal gastric relaxation reduction, characterized by a significant decrease of contents of gastrin P<0.01 and cholinesterase P<0.01. MMF can improve dyspepsia symptoms and promote proximal gastric relaxation. Significant intestinal flora disorders were found in dyspepsia mice, including downregulation of Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae and upregulation of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Epsilonbacteraeota, Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Lachnospiraceae. MMF could alleviate intestinal microflora disturbance, and the regulation effect of MMF on Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Epsilonbacteraeota was more reliable than that of Jianweixiaoshi tables and domperidone. The intestinal microflora may be correlated with the promoted digestion of MMF

Ethanol extract of Paridis rhizoma attenuates carrageenan-induced paw swelling in rats by inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors

Abstract Context Inflammation has been identified as a key factor contributing to the development of numerous diseases. Several anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed to treat inflammation-related diseases. However, some of such drugs are associated with varying degrees of side effects. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new anti-inflammatory drugs with reducing side effects for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Natural anti-inflammatory drugs have emerged as an important area of research in recent years. The study was to determine the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Paridis rhizoma extract (PRE) in rat models of acute inflammation induced by carrageenan and RAW264.7 cells models induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and methods PRE was investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model on rats in vivo. Histopathology examined the extent of inflammatory infiltration and tissue damage. The effect of PRE on the levels of specific cytokines was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay evaluated the cytotoxic effects of PRE on Raw264.7 cells. The mRNA expression levels of cytokines were quantified using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot measured TNF-α, IL6, TLR4, p-P65, p-IKB, HO1, SOD1 and SOD2. Fluorescence measured the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results PRE treatment reduced interstitial edema and structural damage in a dose-dependent manner in vivo. PRE inhibited inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro, as evidenced by the decreased expression of inflammatory factors, production of ROS, and increased expression of SOD1, SOD2, and HO1. Moreover, PRE inhibited the activity of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathway. Conclusion The anti-inflammatory activity and potential mechanism of PRE were demonstrated according to the results. PRE reduced LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting the NF-KB signaling pathway and ROS production in vitro. PRE alleviated interstitial edema and structural damage in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model on rats in vivo. This study provided an idea for future development of PR-based anti-inflammatory drugs

Effects of Haima Duobian Pill in a Rat Model of Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome

Objective. Modern research shows that Haima Duobian pill (HDP) can relieve the kidney yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS), but the mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this work was to study the effects of HDP in a rat model of KYDS. Materials and Methods. The network pharmacology methods were used to predict the therapeutic effects of Haima Duobian pill. Adenine was used to establish the rat model of kidney yang deficiency syndrome. The general physical signs of rats were observed after different doses of Haima Duobian pill (HDP) were given. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Then, the histopathologic changes and sperm activity were detected. Results. HDP could improve the general signs of kidney yang deficiency syndrome rats. After the rats were treated with HDP, the expression of cGMP and E2 was significantly inhibited and the expression of cAMP and T was significantly increased. The pathological damage of testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle was alleviated, and the sperm activity was improved. Conclusion. For adenine-induced kidney yang deficiency syndrome in rats, HDP had a significant therapeutic effect

Microbial and metabolomic remodeling by a formula of Sichuan dark tea improves hyperlipidemia in apoE-deficient mice.

Medicine-food homology is a long-standing concept in traditional Chinese medicine. YiNianKangBao (YNKB) tea is a medicine-food formulation based on Sichuan dark tea (Ya'an Tibetan tea), which is traditionally used for its lipid-lowering properties. In this study, we evaluated the effects of YNKB on dyslipidemia and investigated the mechanism underlying its correlation with gut microbiota and serum metabolite regulation. Wild-type mice were fed a normal diet as a control. Male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into three high-fat diet (HFD) groups, a model group, and two treated groups (100, 400 mg/kg/d for low, high-dose), and fed by gavage for 12 weeks. Serum lipid levels, composition of gut microbiota, and serum metabolites were then analyzed before treatment with YNKB. We extracted the ingredients of YNKB in boiled water for one hour. YNKB supplementation at a high dose of 400 mg/kg/day reduced bodyweight gains (relative epididymal fat pad and liver weight), and markedly attenuated serum lipid profiles and atherosclerosis index, with no significant differences present between the low-dose treatment and HFD groups. Gut microbiota and serum metabolic analysis indicated that significant differences were observed between normal, HFD, and YNKB treatment groups. These differences in gut microbiota exhibited strong correlations with dyslipidemia-related indexes and serum metabolite levels. Oral administration of high-dose YNKB also showed significant lipid-lowering activity against hyperlipidemia in apoE-deficient mice, which might be associated with composition alterations of the gut microbiota and changes in serum metabolite abundances. These findings highlight that YNKB as a medicine-food formulation derived from Sichuan dark tea could prevent dyslipidemia and improve the understanding of its mechanisms and the pharmacological rationale for preventive use