The anti-cholestatic effects of Coptis chinensis Franch. alone and combined with Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley: dual effects on fecal metabolism and microbial diversity.

Introduction: Drug dosages and combinations are the main factors that affect the efficacy of pleiotropic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Coptis chinensis Franch. (CF) is a representative TCM with multiple effects and is often combined with Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley (TR) to treat cholestasis. The present study assessed the influence of CF dose and its combination with TR on the efficacy of CF in cholestasis treatment, including their effects on fecal metabolism and fecal microorganisms. Methods: Rats with α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg)-induced cholestasis were administered low (0.3 g/kg) and high (0.6 g/kg) doses of CF, as well as CF combined with TR at doses of 0.6 g/kg and 0.9 g/kg, respectively. The anti-cholestatic effects of these treatments were assessed by determining their anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and anti-oxidative stress properties. Additionally, fecal metabolomics and fecal microorganisms were analyzed. Results: Low dose CF had a more potent hypolipidemic effect than high dose CF, whereas high dose CF had more potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. Combination with TR enhanced the hypolipidemic effect, but antagonized the anti-inflammatory effect, of CF. Analyses of fecal metabolomics and fecal microorganisms showed differences in the regulation of lipid- and amino acid metabolism-related pathways, including pathways of linoleic acid, tyrosine, and arachidonic acid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis between different doses of CF as well as between different doses of CF in combination with TR. These differences may contribute to differences in the anti-cholestatic effects of these preparations. Conclusion: CF dose influences its anti-cholestatic efficacy. The combination with TR had synergistic or antagonistic effects on the properties of CF, perhaps by altering fecal metabolism and fecal microbial homeostasis.

The zhuyu pill relieves rat cholestasis by regulating the mRNA expression of lipid and bile metabolism associated genes.

Background: The Zhuyu pill (ZYP), composed of Coptis chinensis Franch. and Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley, is an effective traditional Chinese medicine with potential anti-cholestatic effects. However, the underlying mechanisms of ZYP remain unknown. Objective: To investigate the mechanism underlying the interventional effect of ZYP on mRNA-seq analysis in cholestasis rat models. Materials and methods: This study tested the effects of a low-dose (0.6 g/kg) and high-dose (1.2 g/kg) of ZYP on a cholestasis rat model induced by α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg). Serum biochemistry and histopathology results were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of ZYP, and mRNA-Seq analysis was performed and verified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses were integrated to identify the mechanism by which ZYP impacted cholestatic rats. Results: ZYP was shown to significantly improve abnormal changes in the biochemical blood indexes and liver histopathology of cholestasis rats and regulate pathways related to bile and lipid metabolism, including fatty acid metabolism, retinol metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis, to alleviate inflammation, cholestasis, and lipid metabolism disorders. Relative expression of the essential genes Cyp2a1, Ephx2, Acox2, Cyp1a2, Cyp2c11, and Sult2a1 was verified by qRT-PCR and showed the same trend as mRNA-seq analysis. Conclusion: ZYP has a significant anti-cholestatic effect by regulating bile metabolism and lipid metabolism related pathways. These findings indicate that ZYP is a novel and promising prospect for treating cholestasis.

Mechanism of interventional effect and targets of Zhuyu pill in regulating and suppressing colitis and cholestasis.

Zhuyu pill (ZYP) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription composed of two drugs, Coptis chinensis Franch. and Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley, and is commonly used in the clinical treatment of diseases of the digestive system. However, the mechanism underlying the effect of ZYP on colitis remains unclear. In this study, a colitis rat model was induced with 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and treated with ZYP (low dose: 0.6 g/kg, high dose: 1.2 g/kg). Disease activity index, colonic weight index, and weight change ratio were used to evaluate the model and efficacy. LC-MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to measure differences in fecal metabolism and microorganism population among the control, model, low-dose ZYP, and high-dose ZYP groups. To elucidate the mechanism of interventional effect of ZYP, Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between fecal metabolism and fecal microbial number. High-dose and low-dose ZYP both exhibited significant interventional effects on colitis rat models, and high-dose ZYP produced a better interventional effect compared with low-dose ZYP. Based on a metabolomics test of fecal samples, significantly altered metabolites in the model and high-dose ZYP treatment groups were identified. In total, 492 metabolites were differentially expressed. Additionally, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples revealed that the high-dose ZYP could improve TNBS-induced fecal microbiota dysbiosis. Ultimately, changes in tryptophan metabolism and Firmicutes and Gammaproteobacteria populations were detected after ZYP treatment in both colitis and cholestasis. Therefore, we conclude that tryptophan metabolism and Firmicutes and Gammaproteobacteria populations are the core targets of the anti-inflammatory effect of ZYP. These findings provide a scientific basis for further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ZYP in the future.

miRNA and miRNA target genes in intervention effect of Zhuyu pill on cholestatic rat model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zhuyu pill (ZYP), an effective prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, is composed of Coptis chinensis Franch. and Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley and has shown potential anticholestatic effects. However, its mechanism of action in treating cholestasis remains unclear. Since post-transcriptional control of mRNA by micro-RNAs (miRNAs) represents an important mechanism of gene regulation, it is promising to explore this in relation to ZYP and cholestasis. AIM OF THE STUDY: To confirm the anticholestatic effect of ZYP and to explore its potential biological mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a cholestasis rat model was induced by α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg) and treated with ZYP (low dose: 0.6 g/kg, high dose: 1.2 g/kg). Serum biochemistry indices and liver histopathology were used to evaluate the model and efficacy, and miRNA sequencing was used to measure differences in miRNA expression in the liver between the control, model, low-dose ZYP, and high-dose ZYP groups. To verify the accuracy of sequencing results and explore the potential anti-cholestasis mechanism of ZYP, RT-PCR was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes. RESULTS: Both high- and low-dose ZYP exhibited significant anticholestatic effects, with the high-dose showing better effects than low-dose ZYP. Additionally, four differentially expressed miRNAs, rno-miR-147, rno-miR-20b-5p, rno-miR-29b-3p, and rno-miR-3586-3p, were found to be upregulated in cholestasis and downregulated after ZYP intervention. Eight target genes of the above miRNAs, including ABCG8, CLOCK, PLEC, SLC4A2, NEB, ADAMTS12, TTN and FAM174B were inhibited in cholestatic rats, exhibiting up-regulated expression tendencies after ZYP intervention, and the expression tendencies were significant negatively correlated with serum biochemical indices. CONCLUSIONS: ZYP can significantly reduce liver biochemical indices and improve liver tissue damage in cholestasis rats through the regulation of miRNA expression in the liver, producing a positive regulatory effect on bile excretion-related genes.

CdSe 1D/2D Mixed-Dimensional Heterostructures: Curvature-Complementary Self-Assembly for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalysis.

Mixed-dimensional heterostructures (MDHs), which combine nanomaterials of different dimensionalities deliver on the promise to bypass intrinsic limitations of a given low-dimensional material. Here, a strategy to engineer MDHs between two low-dimensional materials by curvature-complementary self-assembly is described. CdSe nanotubes rolled from 2D nanosheets and 1D CdSe nanorods, with negative and positive curvatures, respectively, are selected to illustrate complementary curvature self-assembly. The assembly process, optical, and photoelectrical properties of the CdSe MDHs are thoroughly investigated. Several remarkable features of CdSe MDHs, including increased light absorption, efficient charge separation, and appropriate bandgap structure are confirmed. The MDHs significantly alleviate the sluggish kinetics of electron transfer in the quantum sized CdSe subunits (onset potential of 0.21 V vs RHE for MDHs; 0.4 V lower than their low-dimensional building blocks), while the spatial nano-confinement effect in the CdSe MDHs also assists the interfacial reaction kinetics to render them ideal photocatalysts for benzylamine oxidation (conversion > 99% in 4 h with a two times higher rate than simple mixtures). The results highlight opportunities for building MDHs from low-dimensional building blocks with curvature-complementary features and expand the application spectrum of low dimensional materials in artificial photosynthesis.

Efficacy of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)-Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Refractory Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND As a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology, vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) mainly affects postmenopausal and perimenopausal women. The main clinical manifestations of VLS include itching, burning pain, and sexual dysfunction, which can lead to a decline in quality of life. The existing treatment options include topical corticosteroid ointment, estrogen, and traditional Chinese medicine; however, their therapeutic effects on VLS remain unsatisfactory. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients with VLS and routine treatment failure were treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy (PDT). A 20% ALA water-in-oil emulsion was applied to the vulvar lesions and sealed with plastic film for 3 h. Patients were irradiated at a power density of 60 to 90 mW/cm² with a red light at a wavelength of 635±15 nm for 20 min, delivering a total dose of 100 to 150 J/cm² per session. The treatment was repeated 3 times every 2 weeks. The objective parameters, female sexual function index (FSFI) and quality of life (QoL) scores, were used before and after treatment to evaluate the clinical curative effect. RESULTS All patients completed 3 treatment cycles of ALA-PDT and follow-up visits. The clinical symptoms of pruritus completely disappeared in 27 cases, and itching improved from severe to mild in 3 cases. The pathological changes of all patients were objectively improved. FSFI score decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.001). The main adverse effects of ALA-PDT were pain, erythema, and swelling. These adverse effects were temporary and tolerable. The QoL score was significantly improved after treatment (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS ALA-PDT is an effective and safe approach for the treatment of VLS.

5-ALA-photodynamic therapy in refractory vulvar lichen sclerosus et atrophicus.

OBJECTIVE: As a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology, vulvar leukoplakia mainly affects postmenopausal and peri-menopausal females. The main clinical manifestations of vulvar lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (VLSA) include itching, burning pain, and sexual dysfunction, which can lead to a decline in the quality of life. The existing treatment options include topical corticosteroid ointment, estrogen, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, their therapeutic effects on VLSA remain unsatisfactory. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with 5-aminoketovaleric acid (ALA) for the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with VLSA who failed routine treatment were treated with ALA-PDT. The patients were irradiated at a power density of 60-90 mW/cm2 with a red light at a wavelength of 635±15 nm for 20 min. Twenty percent of ALA water-in-oil emulsion was applied to the lesion and sealed with plastic film for 3 h. The treatment was repeated three times every 2 weeks. The objective and subjective symptoms and signs of vulvar lesions based on the horizontal visual analogue scale were recorded at 6 months after each treatment and the last treatment. RESULTS: All patients completed three cycles of ALA-PDT and follow-up. The clinical symptoms of pruritus completely disappeared in 27 cases. Itching changed from severe to mild in three cases. The pathological changes of all subjects were improved. The main side effects of ALA-PDT were pain, erythema, and swelling. The side effects were temporary and tolerable. All patients reported their results as "satisfied" or "very satisfied". CONCLUSIONS: ALA-PDT was an effective and safe approach for the treatment of VLSA.

Bufalin, a bufanolide steroid from the parotoid glands of the Chinese toad, suppresses hERG K+ currents expressed in HEK293 cells.

In this study, we investigated the effect of bufalin on the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) K+ channels using the perforated patch recording technique. We measured a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 24.83 µM and maximal inhibitory effect of 39.45 ± 1.14% with bufalin. These findings suggest that bufalin is a potent hERG K+ channel blocker and may provide a new way for understanding Chan Su-induced arrhythmia.

[Isolation and identification of berberine from endophytic fungi HL-Y-3].

The endophytic fungi HL-Y-3, which was isolated from the healthy leaves of Coptis chinensis, produced berberine when grown in the PDA culture medium. The presence of berberine was confirmed by the chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses. The yield of berberine was recorded as 9.313 µg•g⁻¹ by HPLC. The strain HL-Y-3 was identified as Alternaria sp.by morphological observation and 5.8S rDNA-ITS sequence analysis.The separation and purification of constituents were performed by PTLC. The mass spectrometry (MS) of the analyte was shown to be identical with authentic berberine.Further analysis with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to showed that the chemical structure of the fungal berberine was identical with authentic berberine. The research provided new resources for the utilization of berberine.

Effects of total flavones from Acanthopanax senticosus on L-type calcium channels, calcium transient and contractility in rat ventricular myocytes.

Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms (AS), a traditional herbal medicine, has been widely used to treat ischemic heart disease. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms of its benefits to cardiac function remain unclear. The present study examined the effects of total flavones from AS (TFAS) on L-type Ca(2+) channel currents (ICa-L ) using the whole cell patch-clamp technique and on intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+) ]i ) handling and cell contractility in rat ventricular myocytes with the aid of a video-based edge-detection system. Exposure to TFAS resulted in a concentration- and voltage-dependent blockade of ICa-L , with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 283.12 µg/mL and the maximal inhibitory effect of 36.49 ± 1.95%. Moreover, TFAS not only increased the maximum current in the current-voltage relationship but also shifted the activation and inactivation curves of ICa-L toward the hyperpolarizing direction. Meanwhile, TFAS significantly reduced amplitudes of myocyte shortening and [Ca(2+) ]i with an increase in the time to 10% of the peak (Tp) and a decrease in the time to 10% of the baseline (Tr). Thus, the cardioprotective effects of TFAS may be attributed mainly to the attenuation of [Ca(2+) ]i through the direct inhibition of ICa-L in rat ventricular myocytes and consequent negative effect on myocardial contractility.

Selectively predictive calcium supplementation using NCCN risk stratification system after thyroidectomy with differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia is a common complication following thyroidectomy. To explore reasonable and simple methods for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia and identify the optimal strategies for selective calcium supplement are meaningful for surgeon. METHODS: Based on the NCCN risk stratification system, patients were divided into 4 groups (A-D): low-risk group A, who only underwent limited thyroidectomy (LT) and high-risk groups B, C and D, who had received total thyroidectomy (TT) and selective central and/or lateral neck dissection (SND). After surgery, group C patients were orally given calcium gluconate and group D patients were intravenously given calcium 2 g/day for 7 days, while group B patients did not receive any calcium supplement. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were collected before and after surgery. The incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic hypocalcemia in each group was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were included who received surgical treatment. No a significant change was observed in serum calcium and PTH levels in group A, while significant decreases in serum calcium and PTH levels were seen in group B (P < 0.05). Intravenous calcium supplement in group D resulted in a more rapid recovery in serum calcium levels (P < 0.05). The incidences of symptomatic hypocalcemia and asymptomatic hypocalcemia were significantly lower in group A and group D respectively compared to the other groups (All P values < 0.05). In group B, a highest asymptomatic and symptomatic hypocalcemia incidence was detected. CONCLUSION: Selective calcium supplementation for DTC based on NCCN risk stratification system could be recommended for the high-risk patients.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) injection ameliorates iron overload-induced cardiac damage in mice.

The traditional Chinese medicinal herb Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), first recorded in the "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic", has long been used to treat cardiovascular conditions, although the mechanism(s) underlying its effects remain unclear. Here, an iron dextran injection (50 mg · kg⁻¹ per day) was delivered intraperitoneally to establish a mouse model for investigating the ameliorative effects of Danshen injection (low dose at 3 g · kg⁻¹ per day or high dose at 6 g · kg⁻¹ per day) on iron overload-induced cardiac damage. The iron-chelating agent deferoxamine (100 mg · kg⁻¹ per day) was administered as a positive control. The main constituents of Danshen injection, salvianic acid A (danshensu), protocatechuic aldehyde, and salvianolic acid B, were quantified at concentrations of 2.15, 0.44, and 1.01 mg · mL⁻¹, respectively, using HPLC with UV detection. Danshen injection significantly lowered cardiac iron deposition and the concentration of the lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde, as well as improved cardiac superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels in iron-overloaded mice. Serum levels of creatine kinase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and lactate dehydrogenase in the iron-overloaded mice were significantly elevated (up to ~ 160 %), whereas their activities were downregulated by Danshen injection by 25 ~ 35 % at the high dose and by ~ 20 % at the low dose. Morphological changes of cardiac tissue analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that lesions induced by iron overload could be ameliorated by Danshen injection dose-dependently. Altogether, these results illustrated that the protective effects of Danshen injection were at least in part due to decreased iron deposition and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Nephroprotective effect of calcium channel blockers against toxicity of lead exposure in mice.

Exposure to lead (Pb) can induce kidney damage, which is related to induction of oxidative damage and disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Pb can readily permeate through dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channels and accumulate within cells. The objective of this study was to investigate protective effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) verapamil and nimodipine on nephrotoxicity induced by Pb acetate in mice. One hundred and twenty male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, Pb, low-dose verapamil, high-dose verapamil, low-dose nimodipine and high-dose nimodipine (n=20 per group). Pb acetate was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 40 mg/kg body weight/day for 10 days to establish the Pb toxicity model. While control mice received saline, mice of the treated groups simultaneously received i.p. injections of verapamil or nimodipine daily for 10 days. Both verapamil and nimodipine showed protection against Pb-induced kidney injury, including alleviation of renal pathological damage and decreasing the level of Pb in kidney homogenate and extent of apoptosis in nephrocytes. Moreover, verapamil and nimodipine significantly down-regulated levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in the serum. In addition, verapamil and nimodipine administration decreased malondialdehyde content and increased activities of super oxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase in the kidney homogenate. The findings in the present study implicate the therapeutic potential of CCBs for Pb-induced nephrotoxicity, which were at least partly due to the decrease of Pb uptake and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

[Observation on the efficacy of acupuncture and fire needle therapy for hand osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the clinical efficacy of shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis. METHODS: Eighty cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy) and a medication group(votalin emulgel). For the 42 cases in the acupuncture group, acupuncture at shu-stream points on the three yang meridians of the hand including Sanjian (LI 3), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Houxi (SI 3) and fire needle at Ashi points were applied, the treatments were given once every other day, 15 times as a treatment course. For the 38 cases in the medication group, votalin emulgel was prescribed for local embrocation, twice a day, 30 days as a treatment course. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of arthralgia, joint function score and the duration of morning stiffness, joint tenderness, swelling were observed before and after treatment in both groups. RESULTS: After two courses of clinical treatment, the VAS score of arthralgia, joint function score and the duration of morning stiffness, joint tenderness, swelling were statistically significant differences as compared with before treatment (all P < 0.01 ), the efficacy in the acupuncture group was superior to that in the medication group (all P < 0.01 ). The cured-markedly effective rate and total effective rate were 61.9% (26/42) and 95.2% (40/42) in the acupuncture group, and 36.8% (14/38) and 76.3% (29/38) in the medication group respectively, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Shu-stream point acupuncture combined with fire needle therapy achieves a significant efficacy in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis.

[Lab diagnostics and concepts of integrative medicine].

The integrative medicine concepts were analyzed from a brand-new view angle of lab diagnostics. The microcosmic, objective, early diagnostic, dynamic, and multi-point features of lab diagnostics can be integrated respectively with the macroscopic concept, experience, prevention ahead of disease attack, constant changing concept, and the wholism in Chinese medicine. The concept of integrative medicine in the lab diagnostics is of far-reaching significance in the clinics, research, and teaching of Chinese medicine, as well as the discipline construction of integrative medicine diagnostics. In addition, the complementarity and compatibility of Chinese medicine and lab diagnostics are studied.

Effects of acupuncture at 7-9 am and 3-5 pm on plasma thromboxane and prostaglandin in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture at different times on plasma thromboxane (TXB2) and prostaglandin 6-Keto-PGF1a (6-K-P) in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: Totally 90 patients were randomly divided into a group acupunctured at 7-9 am, a group acupunctured at 3-5 pm and a drug control group, with 30 cases in each group. The contents of plasma TXB2 and 6-K-P from venous blood before treatment were compared with those 15 days after treatment. RESULTS: The plasma TXB2 levels of the two acupuncture groups were obviously lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but the 6-K-P levels of both the acupuncture groups were remarkably higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). and the TXB2 level in the 3-5 pm acupuncture group was obviously lower than that in the 7-9 am acupuncture group (P < 0.05), and the 6-K-P level of the former was obviously higher than that of the latter (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can promote functional recovery in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and enhance their survival quality.

Synthesis of glutathione-capped CdS quantum dots and preliminary studies on protein detection and cell fluorescence image.

A series of glutathione (GSH)-capped aqueous CdS quantum dots (QDs) with strong photoluminescence (PL) were prepared by changing the reaction temperatures and times on the basis of optimization of the mole ratio of S to Cd. The reaction time was shortened to about 1/10 compared with that reported previously by increasing the reaction temperature. The absorption and fluorescence spectra indicated good optical properties with PL full width of half-maximum (FWHM) of about 100 nm. The excitation spectrum was broad and continuous in the range 200-480 nm. The PL quantum efficiency (QE) of the prepared QDs was about 36% compared with rhodamine 6G (95%). The shape and size of the CdS QDs were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The prepared QDs were conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and onion inner pellicle cells and used as fluorescence probes for the first time. The results demonstrated that the fluorescence of CdS can be enhanced by BSA and the enhanced fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of BSA in the range 1.0-10 mg/L. The aggregation of CdS in onion inner pellicle cells and its fluorescence images indicated that the QDs can aggregate around cells soaked for 8 h in CdS solution but enter the interior of cells and become aggregated to the nucleus when they are soaked in CdS solution for longer, e.g. 98 h.

[Effect of Sophoricoside on histomorphology of bone in ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential preventive effect of Sophoricoside on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Female SD rats (n=50, 6 months old) were either sham-operated (SHAM group, n=10) or ovariectomized (n=40). Three days after operation, ovariectomized rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows: 10 received Sophoricoside 4 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) (SL group), 10 received Sophoricoside 8 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) (SM group), 10 received Sophoricoside 16 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) (SH group) and 10 were untreated (OVX group). After Sophoricoside were given orally for one month, the histomorphometric parameters in the secondary spongiosa of proximal tibia and lumbar vertebrae were examined. RESULTS: Compared with OVX group, SM and SH two kinds of treatment caused 15.28% and 22.81% increment in percent trabecular area (BV/TV, %) in the secondary spongiosa of proximal tibia, 14.23% and 21.2% increment in lumbar vertebrae. Accordingly in these two groups, there was a significant decrease in trabecular separation (FLAW, microm), but increment in trabecular width (Tb. Th, microm) and conjunction points (JOINT). But in SL group, the preventive effect was not observed. CONCLUSION: Sophoricoside can be efficient in preventing ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.