OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tripterygium glycosides (TG) on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and endothelin-1 in the kidney of diabetic rats and explore the possible mechanism underlying the protective effect of TG against diabetic nephropathy.

METHODSSixty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) model group (n=50). The diabetic model rats were then randomly divided into DM group, low-dose (8 mg/kg) and high-dose (16 mg/kg) TG treatment groups, and Irbesartan (50 mg/kg) treatment group. After 8 weeks, the levels of blood glucose (BG), 24-h urine protein (24 h Upro), serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. The pathological changes in the renal tissues were examined by optical microscopy, and the mean glomerular area (MGA) and mean glomerular volume (MGV) were measured with pathological image analysis. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and ET-1 protein in the renal tissue, and their mRNA expressions were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSHIF-1α and ET-1 expression increased in the kidney of diabetic rats. Compared with the diabetic model rats, the rats receiving TG and Irbesartan treatment showed decreased levels of Scr, BUN, 24h Upro, MGA and MGV, improved renal histopathology, and reduced expression of HIF-1α and ET-1 mRNA and protein in the renal tissue. These changes were more obvious in high-dose TG treatment group. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of HIF-1α was positively correlated with that of ET-1, and they were both positively correlated with kidney weight index (KW/BW), 24 h Upro, MGA, and MGV.

CONCLUSIONHIF-1α and ET-1 are overexpressed in the kidney of diabetic rats. TG can improve kidney damage in diabetic rats and delay the development of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the HIF-1α and ET-1 expression.

Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects of bicyclol combined with ganciclocir on infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis.

METHODSSeventy infants with cytomegalovirus hepatitis were randomized into treatment group (n=35) and control group (n=35) for a 2-week-long treatment with ganciclocir (5 mg/kg) with and without oral bicyclol (3 mg/kg, twice daily), respectively.

RESULTSIn both groups, significant changes occurred in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum total bilirubin, serum total bile acid, and glutamyl transpeptidase after the 2-week treatment (P<0.01); these parameters differed significantly between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.01). Compared with those in the control group, the infants in the treatment group showed significantly better responses to the treatment (P<0.05) with a significantly higher rate of serum anti CMV IgM negativity (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBicyclol combined with ganciclocir can reduce glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and serum total bilirubin, and decrease bile acid levels to lessen liver cell damage and promote the recovery of liver cells.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Biphenyl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Ganciclovir ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Function Tests

The effects of magnolol (Mag) on hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia, hepatic oxidative stress and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) activity of diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) were studied. After oral administration of Mag (25, 50 and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for continuous 10 weeks, the blood glucose and lipids (TC, TG and LDL-C) levels, as well as the hepatic CYP2E1 activity and MDA content of diabetic rats, decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas the oral glucose tolerance and hepatic antioxidant enzymatic activities (CAT and GSH-Px) of diabetic rats, increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results indicated that Mag was effective against the hepatic oxidative damage, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia of diabetic rats induced by HFD and STZ, and the inhibition of Mag on hepatic CYP2E1 activity could be an important mechanism of Mag against hepatic insulin resistance and oxidative damage.
Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lignans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; Triglycerides ; blood

Paracetamol (PCM) hepatotoxicity is related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and excessive oxidative stress; natural antioxidant compounds have been tested as an alternative therapy. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of an alcoholic extract of Boswellia ovalifoliolata (BO) bark against PCM-induced hepatotoxicity. BO extract also demonstrated antioxidant activity in vitro, as well as scavenger activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Administration of PCM caused a significant increase in the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase in serum. Significant enhancement in hepatic lipid peroxidation and marked depletion in reduced glutathione were observed after parac intoxication with severe alterations in liver histology. BO treatment was able to mitigate hepatic damage induced by acute intoxication of PCM and showed a pronounced protective effect against lipid peroxidation, deviated serum enzymatic variables, and maintained glutathione status toward control. The results clearly demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of BO against the toxicity induced by PCM.
Acetaminophen ; adverse effects ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Boswellia ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Bark ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Wistar ; Transaminases ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and safety of Western medicine combined with Chinese medicine (CM) based on syndrome differentiation in the treatment of elderly polarized hypertension (PHPT), or isolated systolic hypertension with low diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

METHODSA total of 125 elderly patients with PHPT were randomly assigned to two groups: 59 in the control group treated by Western medicine and 66 in the intervention group treated by Western medicine combined with CM treatment. Based on syndrome differentiation, the patients in the intervention group were further divided into subgroups of yang-qi deficiency and yin-qi deficiency. All subjects were treated with Western medicine of Amlodipine Besylate Tablets and Irbesartan Tablets (or Irbesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets), to decrease their systolic blood pressure (SBP) slowly to 125-135 mm Hg in 2-6 weeks. In the intervention group, Shiyiwei Shenqi Capsule was given additionally to the subgroup of yang-qi deficiency at the dosage of 3-5 capsules, thrice a day, while Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule was given additionally to the subgroup of yin-qi deficiency at the dosage of 2 capsules, 2-3 times per day. For all subjects, SBP, pulse pressure (PP), and DBP were measured before treatment and at the terminal of a 6-week treatment. For subjects in the intervention group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was also recorded.

RESULTSAfter a 6-week treatment, the SBP in the two groups and the PP in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to those before treatment (P<0.05), while the PP in the control group showed no significant difference between prior and post-treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, the DBP in the control group decreased (P>0.05), while the DBP and LVEF in the intervention group showed an increase tendency although it had no statistical significance (P>0.05). When subjects in the intervention group were classified further by the course of disease, the DBP and LVEF of subjects whose course of disease were less than 2 years, increased significantly after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONWestern medicine combined with CM treatment based on syndrome differentiation was safer and more effective than Western medicine alone in the treatment of elderly PHPT, because it not only reduced SBP but also improved DBP, which might lower the incidence of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Aged ; Amlodipine ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antihypertensive Agents ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Biphenyl Compounds ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Diastole ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Stroke Volume ; drug effects ; Syndrome ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prescription compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of components from Dachengqi Decoction (DCQD, ) in rats.

METHODSTwenty-four male rats were randomly and equally divided into the DCQD group, Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polygonaceae) group, Houpo (Magnolia officinalis Rehd., Magnoliaceae) group, and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rutaceae) group. The blood samples were collected before dosing and subsequently at 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h following gavage. The levels of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, magnolol, hesperidin, and naringin in rat serum were quantified using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for pharmacokinetic study.

RESULTSThe area under the curve (AUC), mean retention time (MRT), the peak concentration (C(max)) of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol in the DCQD group were significantly different compared with the Dahuang group (P <0.05, respectively). The mean plasma concentration, C(max), and the absorption of Dahuang's component in the DCQD group were obviously lower at each time point than those in the Dahuang group, while the elimination process of Dahuang's component was obviously delayed (P <0.05). Half-lives of aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein were also extended in the DCQD group (P <0.05, respectively). In the DCQD group, the mean plasma concentration, AUC, C(max) and absorption of honokiol, and magnolol were significantly lower (P <0.01, respectively) at each time point than those in the Houpo group, while the drug distribution half-life time (T(1/2α)), the drug eliminated half-life time (T(1/2β)), MRT, and time of peak concentration (T(max)) were significantly delayed (P <0.05, respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters of hesperidin and naringin in the Zhishi group were not significantly different as compared with the DCQD group (P >0.05, respectively), while the MRT of naringin was significantly longer.

CONCLUSIONSThe compatibility in Chinese medicine could affect the drug's pharmacokinetics in DCQD, which proves that the prescription compatibility principle of Chinese medicine formulations has its own pharmacokinetic basis.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Biphenyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Incompatibility ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Hesperidin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of bicyclol on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity, as well as gene and protein expressions in rats after partial hepatectomy (PH). Bicyclol (300 mg x kg(-1)) was given to rats subjected to 70% hepatectomy three times before operation. At 6 and 48 h after PH, blood and liver tissue samples were collected for the measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatic microsomal malondialdehyde (MDA) and total hepatic CYP content. The activities of four CYP isozymes were detected with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and the gene and protein expressions were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting assay. As a result, bicyclol pretreatment markedly inhibited the elevation of serum ALT and hepatic microsomal MDA, and prevented the decrease of total hepatic CYP content in PH rats. In addition, bicyclol significantly attenuated the reduction of CYP2C6 activity and mRNA expression, as well as the reduction of CYP2C11 activity in PH rats. Bicyclol can inhibit the decrease of CYP3A1/2 activity, and up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP3A1 and CYP2E1. These results showed that bicyclol pretreatment might ameliorate abnormality in CYP450 isoforms during liver regeneration after PH, and this protective effect was likely due to its anti-oxidative property and enzyme induction.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P450 Family 2 ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Induction ; drug effects ; Hepatectomy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microsomes, Liver ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Steroid 16-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; metabolism

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and superiority of using rapid expansion of supercritical solution (RESS) technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. The extract of magnolia bark (EMB) was obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2) extraction technology. Microparticles of EMB were manufactured by RESS technology. The effects of operating temperature and pressure on the contents of the active ingredient in the particles were evaluated by HPLC. The effect of expansion conditions on the particle size distribution of EMB particles was investigated. The smallest sample (mean size: 4.7 microm) was obtained under the RESS condition: pressure of 25 MPa, temperature of 50 degrees C and a nozzle size of 100 microm. The characteristics of microparticles were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis. The dissolution rate study showed that microparticles had a significantly faster dissolution rate than normal material particles. After oral raw EMB suspension, the mean areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC(0-t)) of honokiol and magnolol were found to be (4.23 +/- 0.36) and (5.46 +/- 0.57) mg x h x L(-1), respectively, which were increased significantly, i.e. (5.41 +/- 0.63) and (7.24 +/- 0.83) mg x h x L(-1) when micronized EMB suspension was administered orally in SD rats (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean maximum plasma concentrations of honokiol and magnolol increased from (1.55 +/- 0.22) and (2.35 +/- 0.14) mg x L(-1) (raw EMB) to (2.31 +/- 0.17) and (2.84 +/- 0.21) mg x L(-1) (micronized EMB), respectively. The results of t-test demonstrated that AUC(0-t) and Cmax value for honokiol and magnolol was significantly increased with the micronization compared to raw EBM (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that the RESS was applicable for preparing microparticles of EMB at low operating temperature. The process was simple, free of environment pollution and without residual solvent.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biphenyl Compounds ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Lignans ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the novel antihepatitis drug bicyclol on the gene expression profiles in concanavalin A (Con A) intoxicated mice by using cDNA microarray analysis. Bicyclol (250 mg x kg(-1)) was given orally to mice three doses before Con A intravenous injection (26.5 mg x kg(-1)). Serum levels of aminotransferases were examined by biochemical methods. Liver mRNA was extracted and reversely transcribed to cDNA with the incorporation of labeled Cy3-dUTP and Cy5-dUTP, separately. The probes were hybridized to the cDNA microarray. The acquired image was scanned and analyzed by Cenepix Pro 3.0 software. Microarray analysis showed that 287 genes exhibited differential expression in bicyclol group, in which 121 genes were up-regulated and 166 genes were down-regulated comparing with that of untreated Con A intoxicated mice. The differential gene expression after bicyclol treatment was involved in the biotransformation, protein synthesis, degradation and circadian rhythm, proliferation and signal transduction. Bicyclol might regulate a series of genes expressions in Con A intoxicated mice.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; etiology ; genetics ; Concanavalin A ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Random Allocation

To study the effect of bicyclol on lipid disorder and liver damage induced by tetracycline in mice, mice were given (ig) bicyclol (75, 150, and 300 mg x kg(-1)) three times before or after administration of tetracycline (180 mg x kg(-1)). The contents of hepatic lipids, MDA and GSH, serum lipids and ALT/AST levels were measured 24 hours after the injection (ip) of tetracycline. The beta-oxidation rate of hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid and hepatic secretion of VLDL were also observed. Bicyclol (150 and 300 mg x kg(-1)) provided significant protection against fatty liver by inhibiting the elevation of hepatic TG and CHO, adjusting abnormal serum lipids, inhibiting the elevation of serum ALT, AST, and ameliorating the severity of pathological changes. Furthermore, bicyclol significantly accelerated the VLDL (TG) secretion and reversed the impairment of mitochondrial oxidation, resulting in the lipid homeostasis. The increase of MDA formation and depletion of GSH that reflect lipid peroxidation induced by tetracycline were also inhibited by bicyclol administration. The results indicated that the hepatoprotection of bicyclol was mostly due to the improvement on lipid oxidation and transportation as well as the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in tetracycline-intoxicated mice.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; metabolism ; Cholesterol, VLDL ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mitochondria, Liver ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Tetracycline ; Triglycerides ; blood ; metabolism