OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Herba Epimedii Brevicornus (HEB) and prepared Radix Rehmannia (RR), the representative Chinese herbs for warming yang and nourishing yin on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in GR down-regulated rats.

METHODSThe GR down-regulated model was established by subcutaneous injection of hydrocortisone. Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups: the normal group; the model group (MG) ; the HEB group, and the RR group. And every group was subdivided to 3 batches depending on the time points (the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after modeling) of observation, with 6 rats in each batch. Changes in blood level of corticosterone (GS), as well as protein expression and binding power of GR in splenic lymphocytes at corresponding time points of the batches were determined by RIA and flow cytometry.

RESULTSNo significantly difference was found in blood GS levels of the model group at all the time points, as compared with that of the normal group (P > 0.05), while that in the RR group was significantly lowered at the 14th day, and showed significant difference from that in the model group (P < 0.05). The protein expression and binding power in the model rats were lower than those in normal ones (all P < 0.01), but they were significantly higher on the 7th and 14th day in the RR group (P < 0.01), and on the 14th day in the HEB group higher than those in the model group, respectively (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth HEB and RR, in dosage-form of water decoction, could up-regulate the protein expression and binding power of GR in GR down-regulated model rats, but different in acting time.