This study was aimed to observe the antipyresis and cholagogue effect of theFructus Gardeniae-Fructus Forsythiaeherb couple in order to explore the possible pharmacodynamic mechanism. Dry yeast suspension was subcutaneously injected into the back of rat to establish the fever model. The freeze-dried powders ofF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae-F. Forsythiaeherb couple were prepared. They were dissolved in the water for intragastric administration. SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, positive control group and Chinese medicine group. The Chinese medicine group was subdivided into the group ofF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae-F. Forsythiaeherb couple. The concentration of herbal water extract was 10 mL·kg-1 (which equaled to 3 g·kg-1 of a single crude herb). The concentration of positive control was 10 mL·kg-1. Intragastric administration of equal amount of normal saline was given to the blank group and the model group. Except rats in the normal group, rats in other groups were subcutaneously injected with 10 mL·kg-1 of 15% dry yeast suspension on the back of to establish the fever model. Electronic thermometer was used to record the body temperature of rats at 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 h after the injection, respectively. Meanwhile, bile was collected from 1-1, 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-12, 12-24 h, respectively. Observation was given on changes of body temperature and bile amount of rat. The results showed thatF. Gardeniae,F. Forsythiae, andF. Gardeniae- F. Forsythiaeherb couple had certain effect to reduce the body temperature of rats. The temperature-reducing effect of the combination of both herbs was better than a single herb. TheF. Gardeniae -F. Forsythiae herb couple can reduce the body temperature of fever rat (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). It had a little effect on the body temperature of normal rat. TheF. Gardeniae - F. Forsythiaeherb couple can promote the bile secretion, which was better than the single using of F. Gardeniae (P < 0.05). It was concluded that theF. Gardeniae - F. Forsythiaeherb couple had better temperature-reducing effect than the using of a single herb; however, there was no significant difference. But it had obvious effect on the promotion of bile secretion, which indicated the strengthening of cholagogue effect.

OBJECTIVEQingkailing injection (QKLI), Jinnaduo injection (JNDI), Shuxuetong injection (SXTI), Shenmai injection (SMI) and Kangai injection (KAI) are widely used in China. To predict the herb-drug interactions in clinical application, they were evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effect on CYP3A in rat liver microsomes.

METHODThe rat liver microsomes were incubated with different doses of 5 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections (TCMIs) in the present of testosterone, a specific substrate of CYP3A. 6beta-hydroxytestosterone, the metabolite of testosterone, was monitored by HPLC to compare the inhibition effect of 5 TCMIs on CYP3A in rat liver microsomes. Ketoconazole was used as a positive control.

RESULT10% QKLI reduced the formation of 6beta-hydroxytestosterone by approximately 93.0%, which is more significant than other four TCMIs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and the enzyme-inhibitor constant K(i) were 1.0% and 0.7% respectively.

CONCLUSIONQKLI showed much stronger inhibition activity against CYP3A, comparing to other 4 TCMIs. The results revealed that QKLI may be involved in herb-drug interactions by inhibition of CYP3A.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors ; Injections ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley