The Therapeutic Effects of the Chinese Herbal Medicine, Lang Chuang Fang Granule, on Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to severe multiorgan damage. Lang Chuang Fang (LCF) is a Chinese herbal medicine that is clinically prescribed for treating SLE. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of LCF granule on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. Female mice were randomly separated into six groups, and LCF treatment groups received LCF granule at the dosage of 0.97 g/kg/d, 1.95 g/kg/d, and 3.90 g/kg/d, respectively. Here, we found that, compared to the MRL/lpr mice, both the spleen coefficient and thymus coefficient were reduced in the LCF granule-treated mice. There was a marked downregulation in CRP and anti-dsDNA autoantibody and an evident upregulation of CH50 in LCF granule-treated mice. LCF granule treatment also obviously reduced the proteinuria, BUN, and SCr levels in MRL/lpr mice at the dosage of 0.97 g/kg/d, 1.95 g/kg/d, and 3.90 g/kg/d, indicating that LCF granule alleviated the renal injury of MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, LCF granule decreased p65 NF-κB levels and increased Sirt1 and Nrf2 levels in the kidney tissues of MRL/lpr mice, which might elucidate the beneficial effects of LCF on lupus nephritis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that LCF granule has therapeutic effects on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice.

Up-regulatation of CYP3A expression through pregnent X receptor by praeruptorin D isolated from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qianhu, the dried roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum DUNN (Umbelliferae), is a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb which was officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Praeruptorin D (PD) is one of the major active constituents of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (Qianhu). The Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is an orphan nuclear receptor and plays a pivotal role in the activation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) gene. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PD on the PXR-mediated transactivation of CYP3A4, and thus to predict potential herb-drug interactions between PD, Qianhu, and the other co-administered drugs that metabolized by CYP3A4. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of PD on the Cyp3a11, mPXR mRNA expression in mice primary hepatocytes was measured using real-time PCR. The gene expression, protein expression, and catalytic activity of CYP3A4 in the LS174T cells after transfected with PXR expression plasmids were determined by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and LC-MS/MS based CYP3A4 substrate assay. RESULTS: The results revealed that the level of Cyp3a11 gene expression in mice primary hepatocytes was significantly increased by PD, but PD cannot induce the mPXR gene expression. On the other hand, CYP3A4 mRNA, protein expression and functional activity in PXR-over-expression LS174T cells were significantly increased by PD through PXR-mediated pathway; conversely, no significant change was found in the untransfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PD can significantly up-regulate CYP3A4 expression and activity via the PXR-mediated pathway and this should be taken into consideration to predict any potential herb-drug interactions when PD and Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn are co-administered with other drugs.

[Study on the quality standard of danmo capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the quality standard for Danmo capsule. METHODS: TLC was used for the qualitative identification of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. HPLC was used to determine the content of Salvianolic acid B. RESULT: TLC spots were clear and well-separated without negative interference. The linear range of Salvianolic acid B was 0.120042 - 2.40084 microg (r = 0.9999) with an average recovery of 103.63%, RSD was 0.6% (n = 6). CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and reliable. It can be used for the quality control of Danmo capsule.

[Effect of modified mahuang fuzi xixin decoction extract on atrioventricular block induced by ischemia/reperfusion in New Zealand rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of modified Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction extract (MFXDE) on ischemia/reperfusion induced atrioventricular (A-V) block in rabbits model. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups, three test groups (Group TA, TB, TC) and three control groups (Group CA, CB, CC), 10 in each. MFXDE 2 mL/kg was given twice a day by gastrogavage to the test groups, while to the control groups, equal volume of normal saline was given instead, for 3 successive days. Twenty minutes after the last gastrogavage, right coronary artery ligation was performed in rabbits under anesthesia with 1.2 g/kg of 20% urethane via ear marginal vein injection, and lasted for 15 min (Group TA and CA), 60 min (Group TB and CB), and 120 min (Group TC and CC), respectively. ECG lead-II and His Bundle ECG were recorded at different time points to observe P-R interval and A-H interval. RESULTS: P-R interval and A-H interval in the test groups were shorter than in the control groups significantly (all P < 0.05) at the time point of 5 min after ischemia; and at the reperfusion stage, a re-extending phenomenon of P-R and A-H could be found in the CC group after 60 min reperfusion (P < 0.05), but it didn't occure in all the other test groups. CONCLUSION: MFXDE could improve the ischemia/reperfusion induced A-V conductive function.

[Study on correlation of soil nutrients and content of active constituents in root of Rumex gmelini].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific basis for the selection of agrotype and property fertilization for Rumex gmelini cultivated in compliance with good agricultural practice (GAP). METHOD: HPLC method was applied to determinate the content of seven active constituents (resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) of annual R. gmelini. And the correlation between soil nutrients and content of active constituents in the root of R. gmelini were analyzed by stepwise regression analysis. RESULT: Seven regression equation were established. The statistic significance was found in three of them. CONCLUSION: The soil with high total K level is not suitable for R. gmelini cultivation. But the higher available N, available P, available K level of soil is suitable.

[Study on the optimal harvesting time of Rumex gmelini by analyzing the contents of principal components].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method used for optimization of harvesting time and determine the best time for harvesting Rumex gmelini. METHOD: An HPLC method was applied to determinate the contents of seven active constituents(resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion)of R. gmelini at different development stage. The result was analyzed by principal component analysis. RESULT: The accumulation of active constituents showed a regular pattern. CONCLUSION: The best harvesting time of R. gmelini is early July.