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

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