The chemical composition of Paeoniae Radix Alba(PRA) is complex, with primary secondary metabolites including monoterpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. In previous studies on the material basis of PRA, it was found that, in addition to the widely studied characteristic monoterpene glycosides, tannic acid components also play an important role in the efficacy of PRA. However, their pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reviews the tannic acid components in PRA, including pentagaloyl glucose(PGG), tetragaloyl glucose(TGG), trigaloyl glucose(TriGG), and gallic acid, along with their structures, properties, and characteristics to provide a detailed discussion of their pharmacological activities and related mechanisms, aiming to offer a theoretical basis for the material basis research and clinical application of PRA.
Paeonia/chemistry* ; Tannins/chemistry* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Plant Extracts

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Sanhuang Yinchi decoction (SHYCD) in preventing carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury by regulating high mobility group box1(HMGB1) signaling pathway. Method:A total of 48 KM mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, low, middle and high-dose SHYCD groups and positive control group. The model of acute liver injury induced by CCl₄ in mice was established. The low, middle and high-dose SHYCD groups were intragastrically administered with drugs (16, 32, 48 g·kg^-1·d^-1) respectively, and the positive control group was given cell growth stimulating hormone (20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) through intraperitoneal injection. Pathological changes of mouse liver tissue sections were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE); relevant enzyme kits were used to determine liver function indexes in mice serum-alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT); the expression level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mouse serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Western blot was used to detect the expressions of high mobility group box-1(HMGB1), cysteine aspartic acid protease(Caspase-3), apoptosis-related molecules B cell lymphoma(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x protein(Bax), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Result:Compared with the normal group, the model group significantly increased serum AST, ALT (P<0.05) and IL-6 levels (P<0.05) and expressions of HMGB1, TLR4 and Caspase-3 (P<0.05), and down-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.05) in liver tissue; compared with the model group, SHYCD can effectively alleviate the pathological damage of liver in mice, reduce serum AST and ALT levels and expressions of IL-6, HMGB1, TLR4 and Caspase-3 protein in liver homogenate (P< 0.05), and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:SHYCD can prevent liver injury by regulating HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing cellular inflammatory response and inhibiting apoptosis, so as to prevent acute liver injury in mice. This indicates that HMGB1 may become a new target to prevent acute liver injury.

Objective To explore the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)in rat hearts with experimental autoimmune myocarditis(EAM)and the possible mechanism of resveratrol's therapeutic effect.Methods Experimental myocarditis model was established by using porcine myocardial immunoglobulin. Twenty-four male 6-week-old Lewis rats were randomly divided into control group(Con),EAM model group(MC) and resveratrol treatment group(MC+ Res).All the rats were detected and compared in the cardiac function according to echocardiographic analysis,and the expression of MIF was detected by Western blot.The degree of myocardial injury was detected by HE staining and the degree of macrophage infiltration in the myocardium was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results In control group,there was no significant inflammatory infiltration or myocardial injury in the myocardium.Heavy local infiltration of macrophages,and dissolved and fractured myocardial fibers were observed in model group.Resveratrol significantly decreased macrophage density and myocardial injury in the heart(P＜ 0.05).Compared with those in control group,LVEDs were significantly increased(P＜0.01)while LVEF and LVFS were markedly decreased in model group(P＜0.01).Compared with model group,LVEDs were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)while LVEF and LVFS were markedly increased in resveratrol group(P＜0.05).The protein expression of MIF was markedly increased in rats of model group(P＜0.01),but was decreased in resveratrol group compared with model groups(P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Increased expression of MIF may be involved in the pathogenesis of EAM.The therapeutic effect of resveratrol on EAM may be associated with down-regulated MIF expression and decreased macrophage infiltration.

BACKGROUNDTraditional Chinese medicine has been used widely for many years in China to treat acute pancreatitis. We have investigated the effects of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal permeability and outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODSForty patients with sustained SAP that required admission to the surgical intensive care unit were enrolled prospectively in the study. All of these patients were divided randomly into the Dachengqi decoction group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20) on admission. Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring absorption of two metabolically inert markers, lactulose (L) and mannitol (M), which were administered orally. Serum concentrations of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and the ratio of lactulose to mannitol in urine (L/M) were detected in all patients.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, urinary L/M ratio decreased significantly in the Dachengqi decoction group on the 7th day after admission (P = 0.001). Also, serum concentrations of LPS were reduced on the 5th and 7th day after admission (P = 0.006, P = 0.008, respectively). Incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and pancreatic infection was significantly lower in the Dachengqi decoction group compared with those in the control group (P = 0.038,P = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSIONDachengqi decoction may promote the recovery of intestinal mucosal permeability and decrease the incidence of MODS and pancreatic infection in patients with SAP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPolymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), one of the most important inflammatory cells, functions throughout the initiation, progression and resolution of inflammation. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between PMN apoptosis and the lung injury after chest impact trauma.

METHODSPMNs were purified from rabbits subjected to the chest impact trauma and their apoptosis, necrosis, survival and respiratory burst were detected by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, lactate dehydrogenase and (LDH) [Ca2+]i were measured.

RESULTSThe delayed apoptosis of PMNs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was observed from 2 hours to 12 hours after trauma, and viable cells increased. Respiratory burst of PMNs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was increased significantly from 2 hours with the peak at 8 hours. Meanwhile, lactate dehydrogenase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was higher than that in control (P < 0.05) from 4 hours to 24 hours, and intracellular free Ca2+ in PMN was increased temporarily.

CONCLUSIONSRetention of PMN in tissues and the abnormality in apoptotic pathway inevitably generate persistent activation of PMN and excessive release of toxic substances, resulting in tissue injury. The temporary increase of intracellular free Ca2+ may be responsible for the delayed apoptosis of PMN.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Lung Injury ; Neutrophils ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Respiratory Burst ; physiology ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications