Traditional Chinese herbal medicine Astragalus Radix and its effects on intestinal absorption of aconite alkaloids in rats
10.1016/j.chmed.2020.09.005
- Author:
Xin-li LIANG
1
;
Miao-miao JI
1
;
Xiao-qiang KONG
1
;
Xi-qiang XU
1
;
Zheng-gen LIAO
1
;
Lai CHEN
2
;
Ye LIAO
3
;
Danny W. WILSON
4
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Chinese Meteria Medica, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. Laboratory of Animal Research Center for Science and Technology, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
3. Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University
4. Research Centre for Infectious Diseases (RCID), University of Adelaide
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
ABC transporter;
alkaloids of aconite;
Astragali Radix;
intestinal absorption;
tight junction
- From:
Chinese Herbal Medicines
2021;13(2):235-242
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: Astragalus Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has been widely used as a qi (energy) restoring herb that is thought to act through reinvigorating the spleen and lung. Aconite is used to rebalance the body temperature during illness and played an irreplaceable role in disease control since ancient times, but it is limited by its strong neuro and cardiotoxicity. Since the Song Dynasty (1227), the two herbs have been commonly used as herbal pairs including in the famous Qifu Decotion, from the “Wei's Family Prescription”. However, many ancient texts also record that they are not compatible using together, suggesting they can have negative outcomes when mixed. This study investigated whether Astragali Radix had either positive or negative effects on absorption of six different active alkaloids derived from aconite. Methods: Single intestinal perfusion model was used to study the effects of Astragali Radix on aconite alkaloids absorption. Response of ABC transporters and distribution of three tight junction proteins on the surface of intestinal enothelium were assessed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. Results: The results showed that aconite alkaloids absorption could be inhibited, and different concentrations of Astragali Radix considerably increased the expression levels of the ABC transporters and tight junction proteins with Astragali Radix treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that Astragali Radix can block absorption of aconite alkaloids through the upregulation expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters) and tight junction proteins. It demonstrates that co-administration of Astragali Radix with other drugs might change the absorption profile of the second drug which is important to know in clinic therapy.
