Salviae miltiorrhizae radix and puerariae lobatae radix herbal formula improves circulation, vascularization and gait function in a peripheral arterial disease rat model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: DG is a herbal formula, containing the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) and the root of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi (Gegen), has a history of usage in China for cardiovascular protection and anti-atherosclerosis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aims to determine the beneficial effect of DG on the hind-limb ischemia rat model which mimics peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its vasodilative effect on isolated femoral artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vasodilatory effects were assessed by contractile responses to DG in the isolated femoral artery and its underlying mechanisms were evaluated by the involvement of endothelium, potassium channel and calcium channel. For hind-limb ischemia study, treatment outcomes were assessed by evaluating hind-limb blood flow, functional limb recovery, muscle histology and angiogenesis. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated positive dose-dependent vasodilatory response to DG via an endothelium-independent mechanism that involved inwardly rectifying K+ channels and Ca2+ channels. We also demonstrated significant improvement in blood perfusion and micro-vessel density in the ischemic limb and positive effects in functional limb recovery. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study supported the potential use of DG as a novel treatment for symptomatic PAD.

Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Combination Medication of Atorvastatin and a Herbal Formula Containing Salvia miltiorrhiza and Pueraria lobata on Hyperlipidemia.

Despite being a potent hypolipidemic drug, atorvastatin (AS) possesses certain adverse effects. Using AS and an herbal formula (Danshen and Gegen, DG) in combination may achieve potentiated hypolipidemic effects and also reduce its adverse effects. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of an AS and DG combination on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Treatment outcomes were assessed by measuring parameters including body weight, adipose tissue, liver, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Measurements of adverse effects were achieved by determining aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatine kinase (CK). Danshen and Gegen, as well as AS alone, reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight, liver fat vacuoles, total liver lipids, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high-fat diet-fed mice but increased AST, ALT, and CK. A combination of AS and DG was able to enhance reduced effects on the aforementioned parameters in relation to hyperlipidemia over AS or DG alone. It also reduced the elevation of AST, ALT, and CK induced than by AS or DG alone. Results demonstrated that an AS and DG combination resulted in stronger hypolipidemic effects than with AS or DG alone. Additionally, DG might attenuate adverse effects of AS on the liver and skeletal muscle. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.