Protective Effect and Mechanism of Sanhuatang and Its Modifications on Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Sanhuatang and its modifications on the brain tissue of rats exposed to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury （CIRI） and explore its action mechanism and compatibility characteristics. MethodOne hundred and forty SD male rats of clean grade were randomly divided into the control group， sham-operation group， and operation group. The Longa suture method was employed to establish the CIRI model. The successfully modeled CIRI rats were further divided into five groups， namely the model group， nimodipine group， Sanhuatang without Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group， Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group， and Sanhuatang group， and treated with the corresponding medicines by gavage for five days. The cerebral infarct size in each group was examined by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and the pathological changes in the brain tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and electron microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin-5， Occludin， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in brain tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited markedly increased infarct size， obvious changes in brain morphology and ultrastructure， and down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of Claudin-5， Occludin， and ZO-1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， both nimodipine and Sanhuatang significantly decreased the infarct size （P<0.01） and relived the pathological changes. The infarct sizes in the Sanhuatang without Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group were reduced without exhibiting a statistically significant difference. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin-5， Occludin， and ZO-1 in the nimodipine group， Sanhuatang group， and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group were up-regulated significantly in comparison with those in the model group （P<0.01， P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 were higher in the Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group than in the Sanhuatang without Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix group （P<0.01， P<0.01）. ConclusionSanhuatang exerts the protective effect against CIRI in rats possibly by regulating the expression of Claudin-5， Occludin， and ZO-1 and improving the blood-brain barrier function. Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in Sanhuatang may play an important role in the protection of rats from CIRI.

Effect and mechanism of Jingqi Yukui Capsules on gastric ulcer mucosa healing quality: based on network pharmacology and animal experiment / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to identify the active components and the mechanism of Jingqi Yukui Capsules(JQYK) in the treatment of gastric ulcer based on network pharmacology, and verify some key targets and signaling pathways through animal experiment. To be specific, first, the active components and targets of JQYK were retrieved from a Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine(BATMAN-TCM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP), and the targets of gastric ulcer from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM) with the search term "gastric ulcer". The common targets of the two were the potential targets of the prescription for the treatment of the di-sease. Then, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of key targets were constructed based on STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment by matescape database and pathway visualization by Omicshare. For the animal experiment, the improved method of Okabe was used to induce gastric ulcer in rats, and the model rats were classified into the model group, JQYK high-dose(JQYK-H), medium-dose(JQYK-M), and low-dose(JQYK-L) groups, Anweiyang Capsules(WYA) group, and Rabeprazole Sodium Enteric Capsules(RBPZ) group. Normal rats were included in the blank group. Rats in the blank group and model group were given distilled water and those in the administration groups received corresponding drugs. Then gastric ulcer healing in rats was observed. The changes of the gastric histomorphology in rats were evaluated based on hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the content of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in rat gastric tissue was detected with Coomassie brilliant blue method. The mRNA and protein levels of some proteins in rat gastric tissue were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot(WB) to further validate some key targets and signaling pathways. A total of 206 active components and 535 targets of JQYK, 1 305 targets of gastric ulcer, and 166 common targets of the disease and the drug were yielded. According to PPI analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, multiple key targets, such as interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), MAPK3, and MAPK14, as well as nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB) signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and leukocyte transendothelial migration in the top 20 key signaling pathways were closely related to inflammation. The key protein p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway were selected for further verification by animal experiment. The gastric ulcer in the JQYK-H group recovered nearly to the level in the blank group, with significant decrease in the content of iNOS in rat gastric tissue and significant reduction in the mRNA and phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and the mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB p65 in rat gastric tissue. The results indicated that JQYK can inhibit the phosphorylation of the key protein p38 MAPK and the expression of NF-κB p65 in the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect and effectively improving the quality of gastric ulcer healing in rats. Thus, the animal experiment result verifies some predictions of network pharmacology.

Clinical Study of Chaihu Shugansan Combined with Abdominal Acupuncture on Depression Caused by Chronic Pain / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Chaihu Shugansan combined with abdominal acupuncture on depression caused by chronic pain，and to explore its mechanism. Method:A total of 97 patients with depression caused by chronic pain were randomly divided into control group （49 cases） and observation group （48 cases）. Patients in both groups received routine western medicine treatment，including necessary psychological intervention and taking paroxetine. Control groupobservation groupcontrol group Patients in control group were treated with Xiaoyaowan，and patients in observation group were treated with Chaihu Shugansan combined with abdominal acupuncture. Both groups were treated for 6 weeks. The levels of serum neurotransmitters，cytokines and Hamilton depression rating scale（HAMD） before and after treatment were compared between two groups<bold>.</bold> Result:There was no significant difference in HAMD scores of the two groups before treatment and the HAMD scores of two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.05），and the HAMD scores in observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. There was no significant difference in the levels of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT），norepinephrine （NE），and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） between two groups before treatment. After treatment，the levels of serum 5-HT，NE，and BDNF in two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.05），and the levels in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. There was no significant difference in the levels of serum interleukin-6 （IL-6），interleukin-1<italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic>β</italic>） and tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） before treatment. After treatment，the levels of serum IL-6，IL-1<italic>β</italic> and TNF-<italic>α</italic> were significantly lower than those before treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.05），and the levels in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:On the basis of psychological intervention and paroxetine administration，the combination of Chaihu Shugansan and abdominal acupuncture exerts their respective advantages. It treats both symptoms and root causes of depression，relieves the degree of depression，reduces the classification of depression，and regulates the levels of neurotransmitter and cellular inflammatory factors，and inhibits inflammatory response. The clinical effect is significant.

Effect of Sishenwan， Baitouweng Tang， and Lianlitang on Ulcerative Colitis in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Sishenwan， Baitouweng Tang， and Lianlitang in the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC）， and compare their efficacies on UC in rats. Method:Ninety SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into blank group （distilled water， 2 mL·d^-1） and experimental group. The rats in the experimental groups were administered with 2，4，6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid （TNBS） by clysis to induce the UC model. Subsequently， the model rats were divided into a model group （distilled water， 2 mL·d^-1）， positive group ［sulfasalazine （SASP）， 0.4 g·kg^-1·d^-1］， Sishenwan group （1.76 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， a Baitouweng Tang group （1.40 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Lianlitang group （2.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1） according to the random number table. The rats in each group were dosed at 2 mL·d^-1 for 14 days. The pathological score for colonic mucosa was detected. Cytokines were detected by the cytokine chip. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the free triiodothyronine （FT₃）， glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1）， and corticosterone （CORT） in plasma， and neurotensin （NT）， substance P （SP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and somatostatin （SST） in colon tissues. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased colon mass-length ratio and pathological score for colonic mucosa （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， infiltration of massive lymphocytes， disordered or absent intestinal villi， elevated levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1/2<italic>α</italic>/<italic>β</italic>/3 （CINC-1/2<italic>α</italic>/<italic>β</italic>/3）， interleukin-1<italic>α</italic> （IL-1<italic>α</italic>）， interferon-inducible protein-10 （IP-10） and other factors in colon tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， dwindled CORT and GLP-1 levels in plasma （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and increased SP content in colon tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the results in the model group， the mucosal injury in the colon of rats in each drug group was relieved. The levels of IL-1<italic>α</italic>， IP-10， lipopolysaccharide-inducible CXC chemokine （LIX）， and L-selectin of rats in the Lianlitang group and Sishenwan group were reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the CINC-3 and IL-17 levels were diminished in the Baitouweng Tang group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The levels of CINC-1/3， IL-1<italic>α</italic>， and IP-10 were reduced in the SASP group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The plasma FT₃ was up-regulated in the Lianlitang group， and the plasma GLP-1 levels were elevated in the three Chinese medicine groups （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The VIP content in colon tissues of the Sishenwan group and Baitouweng Tang group was down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the SST content in colon tissues of the SASP group was significantly up-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The intervention of Lianlitang and Sishenwan on UC was significant， and the underlying mechanism of action might be related to inflammation inhibition and immune balance by regulating the cytokine network. The efficacy of Lianlitang was predominant， followed by Sishenwan and Baitouweng Tang.

Changes of Microglia in Hippocampus of Mice Induced by Maternal Separation with Restraint Stress and Regulatory Effect of Wenyang Jieyu Prescription / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the activation of microglia in hippocampus of depressed and anxious mice induced by maternal separation with acute restraint stress and the expression of interleukin-1<italic>β</italic>（IL-1<italic>β</italic>），interleukin-6（IL-6），tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic>（TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， investigating the mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu prescription in treating anxiety and depression. Method:Eighty four male C57BL offspring were randomly divided into control group， acute restraint stress group and model group on postnatal day 0（PD0）. Maternal separation combined with acute restraint stress was used to prepare anxious and depressed model mice， dividing the model mice into model group， Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu and fluoxetine group according to random number table method. During the period of PD21-PD90， the control， acute restraint stress and model mice were fed with normal diet， with the other groups fed with corresponding medicine mixed diet. The Wenyang， Jieyu and Wenyang Jieyu groups were given 5.85， 12.03 and 16.71 g·kg^-1·d^-1 respectively. The fluoxetine group was given 2.60 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Open field， zero maze test and social interaction tests were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression of model mice. The expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal microglia was detected by immunohistochemistry（IHC）. The mRNA expression of IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-6， TNF-<italic>α</italic>， Iba-1 and glucocorticoid receptor（GR）were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with the control group， total movement distance and time spent in central zone in 5 min of the model mice significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， time spent in opened arm and total movement distance decreased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， investigation time during testing and training increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-1<italic>β</italic>，IL-6，TNF-<italic>α</italic> mRNA significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the expression levels of GR mRNA significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The result of IHC staining showed that microglia were over activated. Compared with the model group， total movement distance and time spent in central zone in 5 min of mice in the Wenyang Jieyu and fluoxetine group significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）.Time spent in opened arm significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Investigation time during testing and training significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-1<italic>β</italic>，IL-6，TNF-<italic>α</italic> mRNA significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The expression of GR mRNA increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. IHC staining showed the microglia recovered. Time spent in opened arm of mice in the Wenyang group and Jieyu group significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， time spent investigating during testing decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression levels of Iba-1 protein and mRNA，IL-6 mRNA significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The expression of GR mRNA of mice in the Wenyang group significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression of TNF-<italic>α </italic>mRNA significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Total movement distance of mice in the Jieyu group increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， time spent investigating during training decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05），the expression level of IL-1<italic>β </italic>mRNA significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. IHC staining showed that microglia recovered partly in both groups. Conclusion:The comprehensive curative effect and pharmacological action of Wenyang Jieyu prescription were better than Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription. Wenyang Jieyu prescription can treat anxiety and depression in maternal separation and acute restraint stress mice， its possible mechanism may be related to the decreased activation of microglia， down-regulation of IL-1<italic>β</italic>，IL-6，TNF-<italic>α</italic> expression and up-regulation of GR expression.

Effect of Wenyang， Jieyu， and Wenyang Jieyu Prescriptions on Hippocampal Microglia of Mice with Depression-Like Behavior Induced by Secondary LPS Exposure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the activation of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors in hippocampus of mice with depression-like behavior after mother-infant separation （MS） combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） stress， and to explore the possible anti-depression mechanisms of Wenyang （WY）， Jieyu （JY）， and Wenyang Jieyu （WYJY） prescriptions from the perspective of warming Yang and relieving depression. Method:Seventy offspring mice were randomly divided into a normal group （<italic>n</italic>=10）， a LPS stress group （<italic>n</italic>=10）， and a modeling group （<italic>n</italic>=50）. After undergoing 8 h·d^-1mother-infant separation during postnatal day 5 （PD₅）–PD₁₄， mice in the modeling group were further divided into the MS + LPS group， WY group， JY group， WYJY group， and fluoxetine （FLU） group， with 10 in each group. The birth date of the offspring mice was recorded as PD₀. The mice in the normal， LPS， and MS + LPS groups were fed a normal diet during PD₂₁–PD₉₀， while those in the other groups were treated with the mixtures of corresponding drugs and feed， followed by seven-day intraperitoneal injection of LPS since PD₉₁ for inducing depression. The depression-like behavior of mice in each group was detected in the open-field， O-maze， and social interaction tests. The protein expression of microglia-specific ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba-1） in the hippocampus was assayed by immunohistochemistry， and the mRNA expression of interleukin-1<italic>β </italic>（IL-1<italic>β</italic>）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α </italic>（TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， Iba-1， and glucocorticoid receptor （GR） by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the LPS group exhibited significantly reduced residence time at the central area within 5 min （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and shortened total exercise distance （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. In the MS + LPS group， the open-arm activity time and the total activity distance decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01， <italic>P</italic><0.05）， whereas the training， discrimination and exploration time increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal CA1 region of mice in the LPS and MS + LPS groups was remarkably elevated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the LPS group， the MS + LPS group displayed significantly prolonged distance of 5-min exercise （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， increased training， discrimination and exploration time （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and up-regulated Iba-1 expression in hippocampal CA1 area （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. As revealed by comparison with the MS + LPS group， both the total 5-min exercise distance （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and the training and discrimination time （<italic>P</italic><0.01， <italic>P</italic><0.05） of mice in each administration group was significantly shortened. The discrimination and exploration time of mice in the JY， WYJY， and FLU groups was significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the expression of Iba-1 in hippocampal CA1 region of mice in each administration group was significantly down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The warming Yang and relieving depression method helps to inhibit the occurrence and development of depression due to its efficacy in activating microglia in hippocampus of depression mice and lowering the expression of IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-6， and TNF-<italic>α</italic>.

Effect of Bletillae Rhizoma Polysaccharide on PI3K/Akt in Gastric Tissue of GU Model Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the effect of Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide on the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) gene protein and its mediated cytokines interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in gastric tissue of rats with gastric ulcer (GU). Method::Sixty SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group and model group.The GU model was replicated by direct acetic acid cauterization in model group.The GU model rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, positive control group, and large, medium and small-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups, with 10 rats in each group.Rats in blank group and GU model group were given 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 distilled water by gavage, rats in large, medium and small-dose groups were given 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 g·kg-1·d-1 Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide by gavage, while rats in positive control group were given 0.3 g·kg-1·d-1 ranitidine by gavage for 15 days.Serum nitric oxide (NO) content, pepsinase activity and cytokines IL-2R and IL-4 levels in rats of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), PI3K and Akt mRNA expressions were detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and PI3K and Akt protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Result::Compared with the blank group, the contents and gene expressions of cytokines IL-2R and IL-4 in gastric tissue were significantly increased, and the PI3K and Akt genes and protein expressions were significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.01). Compared with GU model group, the content and gene expressions of IL-2R and IL-4 in large, medium and small-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups were decreased significantly, and the PI3K and Akt gene and protein expressions were decreased significantly in large-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide group, while those in large and medium-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide can protect gastric mucosa by down-regulating PI3K and Akt gene and protein expressions and inhibiting abnormal secretion of cytokines IL-2R and IL-4.

Effect of Huangqi Jianzhongtang on JAK2/STAT3 Signal Pathway in Rats with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold Type Gastric Ulcer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Huangqi Jianzhongtang on Janusprotein tyrosine kinase 2/signal transducers and transcriptional activator protein 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signal pathway in rats with spleen-stomach deficiency cold type gastric ulcer (GU). Method:A total of 60 SPF level Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: blank group and model group. Model rats were used to reconstruct the spleen-stomach deficiency cold type GU model by comprehensive modeling method. Model rats were divided into model group, Anweiyang group and high, medium and low-dose Huangqi Jianzhongtang groups according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in blank group and model group were given 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 distilled water, and 16, 8, 4 g·kg-1·d-1 Huangqi Jianzhongtang, respectively. Rats in the positive control group were given 0.14 g·kg-1·d-1 Anweiyang for 21 days. The gene expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 in the ulcer tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), the protein expressions and phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in the ulcer tissue were detected by Western blot, and the contents of interleukin-10（IL-10）and interleukin-17（IL-17）in the gastric tissue of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result:Compared with the blank group, the general survival condition of the model group was worse, the content of IL-10 in gastric homogenate was significantly reduced, while the content of IL-17 was significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 in gastric tissue was not significantly increased, whereas the gene expressions and phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the content of IL-10 increased, but the content of IL-17 decreased, the gene expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 and the level of protein phosphorylation decreased in the treatment group, especially in the high-dose Huangqi Jianzhongtang group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion:Huangqi Jianzhongtang can improve the survival condition of rats with spleen stomach deficiency cold type gastric ulcer, and its mechanism may be related to the intervention of gastric mucosal immune barrier dysfunction mediated by JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation.

WANG Dao-kun's Experience in Application of Dunhuang Ancient Medical Prescription Dabupi Decoction into the Treatment of Gastric Stuffiness / 中国中医药信息杂志

Dunhuang medicine is a branch of Dunhuang studies, including the characteristics of Dunhuang ancient medical prescriptions and treatment technique.Dunhuang Dabupi Decoction has good efficacy in nourishing vitality and yin and promoting the production of body fluid. Professor WANG Dao-kun used the prescription to treat gastric stuffiness, gaining significant curative effect. This article summaried cases of using this prescription, to show the advantages of Dunhuang ancient medical prescription Dabupi Decoction for present use.

Molecular mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in treating endometriosis dysmenorrhea based on GPER2/MAPK/STAT1 axis / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper is to study the molecular mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in treating dysmenorrhea of endometriosis based on GPER2/MAPK/STAT1 axis. In this study, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the rats in each group. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA assay. The mRNA expressions of neurotransmitter receptor (NK1) and GPER were detected by qPCR. The protein contents of MAPK and STAT1 were detected by Western blot. According to the results, compared with the model group, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction could significantly improve the inflammation of the ectopic uterine cavity tissue, decrease the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the uterine cavity, the mRNA expressions of NK1 and GPER, and the protein expressions of MAPK and STAT1. In conclusion, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction could effectively inhibit the expressions of GPER2, MAPK and STAT1, decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and NK1 mRNA and relieve the inflammatory pain in patients with endometriosis.

Effects of combined administration of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and hydrocortisone on the therapeutic action in the murine asthma model / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RASI) and hydrocortisone combination on the murine asthma model and the mechanism.@*METHODS@#BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, blood stasis model group, asthma model group, HSS group, RASI group and RASI+HSS group (=12). Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to replicate mice asthma model and hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS) to copy blood stasis model. Effects of RASI, HSS and their combination on hemorheology, anti-asthma (asthmatic behaviors, lung function, lung index and water content in lung tissue) were observed. and anti-asthma mechanisms The expression of relative cytokines, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry respectively.@*RESULTS@#Eight g/kg RASI, 0.05 g/kg HSS and their combination could significantly relieve asthma behavioral indicators, improve lung function, reduce lung index and water content in lung tissue, decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibit the high expression of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB in lung tissue. The improvement of lung function and the decrease in level of relative cytokines (TNF-α、IL-1βIL-6) were better in RASI+HSS group than those in RASI group and HSS group, and the inhibition of protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB was also too. Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone could decrease serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) content and blood viscosity, which were increased induced by hydrocortisone.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone have obvious anti-asthma effects and one of the mechanisms is to inhibit protein synthetization of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB.The combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone has stronger improvement of lung function than that of RASI and hydrocortisone alone, and it may be related to the inhibition of TLR4 and NF-κB synthetization. The combined administration of RASI can alleviate abnormal changes of hemorheology induced by hydrocortisone in treatment of asthma.

Study on interference effect of Sijunzi decoction on brain-gut CaM/CaMK II of spleen Qi deficiency syndrome rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the dynamic time-phase expressions of key genes of brain-gut CaM signal pathway of spleen Qi deficiency rats and the intervention effect of Sijunzi decoction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, model 14 d, 21 d, 28 d groups, and Sijunzi decoction 14 d, 21 d, 28 d groups. Except for the normal control group, the remaining groups were included into the spleen Qi deficiency model with the bitter cold breaking Qi method (ig 7.5 g · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹ of Rheum officinale, Fructus aurantii immaturus, Magnolia officinalis preparation) and the exhaustive swimming method. On the 7th day after the modeling, the Sijunzi decoction groups were orally administered with Sijunzi decoction 20 g · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹. The expressions of key genes CaM/CaMK II of CaM signaling pathway in hippocampus and intestine at different time points by immunohistochemical method and Western blot. At the same time, the intervention effect of Sijunzi decoction on spleen Qi deficiency rats and its mechanism were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Spleen Qi deficiency rats showed higher intestinal CaM/CaMK II expression and lower hippocampus CaM/CaMK II expression than normal rats (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After the treatment of Sijunzi decoction, spleen Qi deficiency rats showed reduction in intestinal CaM/CaMK II expression and increase in hippocampus CaM/CaMK II expression (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The formation of spleen Qi deficiency syndrome may be related to the high expression of CaM/CaMK II in small intestine tissues and its low expression in hippocampus tissues. Sijunzi decoction may achieve the therapeutic effect in spleen Qi deficiency syndrome by reducing the CaM/CaMK II expression in intestinal tissues and increasing it in hippocampus tissues.</p>