OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction in rats and its effect on TGF-beta-Smads signal pathway.

METHODArteria coronaria ligation-induced acute myocardial infarction model was established in rats. The survived rats were randomly allotted into the model group, 50, 25, 12.5 mg x kg(-1) OMT groups, the 50 mg x kg(-1) captopril group, and the Sham-operated group which was treated as the model group without the arteria coranaria ligation. After 8 weeks of ligation, myocardial fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining, and the RT-PCR method were used to detect the expression of mRNA of TGF-beta-Smads signal system.

RESULTThe histopathological examination showed decrease in cardiocytes, deposition of extra-cellular matrix, and increase of collagen contents after 8 weeks of ligation. RT-PCR results showed that mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, TbetaR1, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 significantly increased, but mRNA expression of Smad7 is remarkable lower than the sham-operated group. Treatment with OMT for 8 weeks could remarkably inhibit myocardial fibrosis, decrease mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, TbetaR1, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4, and increase mRNA expressions of Smad7.

CONCLUSIONOMT has the inhibitory effect on the experimental myocardial fibrosis induced by AMI in rats. Its mechanism may be closely related to TGF-beta-Smads signal system.

Acute Disease ; Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Smad Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; physiology

Objective To explore the mechanism of Huagan Jiedu decoction in treatment of chronic hepatitis B by testing the influence of the decoction on Serum IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ of rat models of chronic hepatic injury. Methods The model of Chronic hepatic injury was established by subcutaneously injecting 40% CCl4-olive oil solution in rats according to the ratio of 3ml per kg. of body weight. 60 healthy rats were divided randomly into a normal group, a model group, a low dose of Huagan Jiedu decoction group, a large dose of Huagan Jiedu decoction group, and a control group (Qingre Jiedu tablet group), 15 cases in each group. The Serum IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ were detected in each group separately. Results Compared with the normal group, the Serum IL-2 and IFN-γ were decreased (t=2.401, 2.337, P=0.0349, 0.0378) and the Serum IL-4 was increased (t=2.896, P=0.00861 ) in the model group; Compared with the model group, the Serum IL-2 and IFN-γ were increased (t=2.417, 2.344, P=0.0341, 0.0372, P＜0.05; t=3.114, 2.988, P=0.0052, 0.0068) in the large Huagan Jiedu decoction group and the control group, while the Serum IFN-γ was increased (t=3.049, P=0.0062) in the low dose of Huagan Jiedu decoction group and the Serum IL-4 was decreased (t=3.102, 3.017, 2.979, P=0.0061, 0.0065, 0.0069)in both Huagan Jiedu decoction groups and the control group. Conclusion Large dose of Huagan Jiedu decoction has sound therapeutic effects on rats with chronic hepatic injury by decreaseing the content of the Serum IL-4 and increasing IL-2 and IFN-γ, and adjusting th1/th2 balance.

OBJECTIVETo identify and elucidate the vasorelaxant activity of homoisoflavonoids, the main chemical components from Lignum Sappan (the stems of Caesalpinia sappan), in isolated rat thoracic aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PE, 1 micromol x L(-1)) and KCl (60 mmol x L(-1)).

METHODThe tension of rat thoracic aorta rings was used to evaluated the vasorelaxant activities of four homoisoflavonoids, brazlin (1), (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-7-hydroxychroman-4-one (2), sappanone B (3), 3-deoxysappanone B (4).

RESULTCumulative addition of homoisoflavonoids (2, 3 and 4) (50-1000 micromol x L(-1)) exhibited an acute relaxation either in endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rings in a concentration-dependent manner. However, this relaxation was significantly inhibited in endothelium-denuded condition and in the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, N(W)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NNA, 100 micromol x L(-1)), and a soluble guanylate cylcase (sGC) inhibitor, methylene blue (MB, 10 micromol x L(-1)) when addition of variation homoisoflavonoids brazlin (1) (50-1000 micromol x L(-1)).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that normo-homoisoflavonoids (2, 3 and 4) from Caesalpinia sappan mediates endothelium-independent vasodilator action in rat thoracic aortic rings, while the variation homoisoflavonoids brazlin elicits endothelium-dependent relaxation might via nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway. This research could explain the pharmacological activities of homoisoflavonoids to a certain degree.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Caesalpinia ; chemistry ; Endothelium ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Guanylate Cyclase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Phenylephrine ; pharmacology ; Potassium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology

The paper reviews the recent developments in pharmacological activities of echinacoside (ECH). ECH is a phenylethanoid glycoside isolated and purified from the stems of Cistanche salsa, a parasitic plant native to northwest China, which is used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. During past years, ECH had been shown to possess powerful ability of anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It has been evident that ECH had neuroprotective effects and prevent liver injuries. Besides, ECH has affect in anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiaging, immunoregulation, improving learning memory and so on. Therefore, ECH should be considered for further study and develop as a novel drug.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; China ; Cistanche ; chemistry ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oxidopamine ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Research

Objective To observe the effect of Yinhuang freeze-dried powder injection on nervous system of rats and mice,and to probe its safety.Methods After injected Yinghuang freeze-dried powder injection nerve system and general behavior of rat or mouse were observed.Results Yinghuang freeze-dried powder didn’t affect rat’s or mouse’s general behavior,but had certain central nevous system suppression function in rats and mice.Conclusion Yinghuang freeze-dried powder have certain central nevous system suppression function in rats and mice.

Objective To observe the rat chronic toxicity induced by Yinghuang freeze-dried powder injection. Methods The rats were given Yinghuang freeze-dried powder injection for 35 days with the doses of 166.5, 82.25, 41.12 mg/kg and for 15 days of stopping administration. The index sign of hematology and biochemistry were determined, and the pathological examination were carried out. Results The rat were given Yinghuang freeze-dried powder injection for 35 days and for 15 days of stopping administration. Mostly index sign of hematology and biochemistry had no significant difference by comparing with the control. There exceptional index sign of exceptional dosage group have significant difference by comparing with the control. But these exceptional index sign fluctuated in normal range in the laboratory. The pathological examination did not discover significant pathological changes related to drug toxicity. Conclusion Yinghuang freeze-dried powder injection has no significant toxicity for long-term administration on rats. It infers that the drawing up doses in clinic will be safe.

Objective:To investigate the ameliorated effects of n-butanol extract from Radix Pseudostellariae(RP) on rat experimental cardiopulmonary Injury induced by acute myocardial infarction.Methods:The experimental rat cardiac and lung injury was reproduced by acute cardiac infraction ligating left coronary artery for 4 weeks.Cardiac function were assayed by hemodynamics,heart index and lung index were detected by weighting,pathologic change was checked out by histophathology,and cardiac infarction size was assayed by image analysis system.Results:After operation 4 weeks,cardiac function was disturbed according to the results of hemodynamics.Cardiac and lung index,and cardiac infarction size was significantly increased in model group.Results of histopathology indicated that cardiac myocyte decrease,cardiac fibrosis functional disorder of the heart,increase of heart index and lun index,inflammatory cell infiltration,and pulmonary congestion and edema and so on indicated the model was succeed.Continued administration of n-butanol extract from RP for 4 weeks can remarkable ameliorate cardiac function,decrease the cardiac and lung index,and attenuate the heart failure pathological change.Conclusion:N-butanol extract from RP can alleviate rat cardiopulmonary injury induced by acute myocardial infarction.The present research provided the pharmacological base of replenishing qi for invigorating the spleen and promoting body fluid production for nourishing lung.

Objectives:To study the localization of dehydroepiandrosferone (DHEA) in rat gastric epithelial cells.Methods:The immunohistochemical SABC was used.Results:The parietal cells in gastric epithelial cells appeared DHEA positive immune reaction.The positive substance was distributed in the cytoplasm and negative in the nuclei.Conclusions:Parietal cells had DHEA,which might play an important role in the regulation of digestive function.

Objective To investigate the protective mechanism of Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on experimental in-vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI)in rats. Methods Rats model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by ischemia for 60 min and then reperfusion for 60 min. After treatment,endothelin (ET) levels in plasma and the homogenate of myocardial tissue,and serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase were measured. Meanwhile,the pathological changes of myocardial tissue were also observed. Results Compared with the model group,middle-dose and high-dose Sal B could depress the ET levels in the plasma and the myocardial tissue,and increase the content of serum NO and NOS (P

Objective To observe the protective effect of total flavonoids from hawthorn leaf on ligation-induced acute myocardial ischemia in anesthetized dogs. Methods The coronary arteries of anesthetized dogs were ligated to induce the model of acute myocardial ischemia. The indexes including the changes of ST segment in electrocardiogram (∑-ST and N-ST) and the release of LDH and CK were measured after treatment. Meanwhile,the size of myocardial ischemia was observed by TTC staining method. Result Total flavonoids from hawthorn leaf depressed the increase of ∑-ST and N-ST,decreased the release of LDH and CK,and reduced the myocardial ischemic size. Conclusion Total flavonoids from hawthorn leaf has an effect on relieving myocardial ischemia.