The antibacterial activity of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk and its effect on irritable bowel syndrome in rats.

The dried roots of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk have traditionally been used to treat acute gastroenteritis and dysentery. The aim of this study was to confirm the antibacterial activity of an extract of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk rootin vitro and its therapeutic effects on rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) in vivo, as well as to identify the related signaling pathways. A water extract of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk root (BHS) inhibited the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. faecalis. BHS potentially damaged the structure of the bacterial cell membrane and decreased the activity of some membranous enzymes, eventually killing the S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. faecalis bacteria. Oral administration of BHS (low, middle and high dose group, L, M and H) significantly alleviated the abdominal pain, diarrhea, and depression-like symptoms of D-IBS rats, and the efficacy index ranged from 30% to 60%, indicating that the BHS treatment was effective. BHS (L, M and H) alleviated the abnormal pathological changes in the brain, as evidenced by HE staining. The expression of CHAT, 5-HT, C-FOS and CGRP was reduced by the BHS treatment (L, M and H). Our findings provide novel insights into the use of the natural product BHS to inhibit pathogenic bacteria by destroying the bacterial structure, indicating that BHS possesses certain biological activities. Furthermore, BHS has the potential to alleviate diarrhea, abdominal pain and depression-like behaviors in D-IBS rats by regulating the brain-gut peptide levels.

Effect of water extract from Berberis heteropoda Schrenk roots on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome by adjusting intestinal flora.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiarrheal effect of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk roots (BHS), which are used by Chinese minorities to treat diarrhea, through regulation of intestinal flora and related signaling pathways. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control group (Con), Model group (Mod), three BHS groups (BHS-L (0.65 g/kg), BHS-M (1.955 g/kg), BHS-H (5.86 g/kg) and Bifidobacterium group (Bif). The model of diarrhea-based irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) was induced by intragastric administration combined with restraint stress. The CRD method was used to determine the AWR score and the Bristol fecal score. Quantification of the intestinal bacteria groups in feces was performed using colony counting on plates. The mRNA expression levels of Gpr41, Gpr43, TLR2, TLR4, and nuclear protein κB were determined by qRT-PCR, and the relative abundances of intestinal flora in the intestinal contents were determined by high-throughput gene sequencing ratios. RESULTS: Oral administration of BHS (L, M and H) significantly reduced the AWR score and the Bristol fecal score, significantly relieved diarrhea in D-IBS rats, reduced the number of Enterococci and Enterobacteria in feces, increased the number of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and upregulated the expression of SCFA in plasma. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of TLR2, TLR4, Gpr41, Gpr43 and NF-κB in the BHS groups was downregulated. D-IBS rats reduced the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora and BHS (L, M and H) regulated the abundance and diversity of their intestinal flora. CONCLUSION: The above data suggest that BHS potentially alleviates diarrhea, intestinal flora disorder and intestinal inflammation in D-IBS rats by regulating the immunological pathways. BHS is a promising agent in the treatment of D-IBS.

Effects of electroacupuncture combined psycho-intervention on cognitive function and event-related potentials P300 and mismatch negativity in patients with internet addiction.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of comprehensive therapy (CT) with electroacupuncture (EA) in combination with psycho-intervention (PI) on the cognitive function and event-related potentials (ERP), P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN), in patients with internet addiction (IA) for a preliminary exploration of the possible mechanism of the therapy. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with IA were randomly divided into three groups, and a total of 112 subjects reached the final analysis of the trial, the EA group (39 patients), the PI group (36 patients) and the CT group (37 patients). EA was applied at acupoints Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6), once every other day; PI with the cognitionbehavior mode was implemented every 4 days; both EA and PI were used in the CT group. The treatment course for all patients was 40 days. Changes before and after treatment in terms of scoring by the IA self-rating scale, short-term memory capacity, short-term memory span, and the latency and amplitude of P300 and MMN in patients were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, in all groups, the IA score was lowered significantly (P <0.05) and scores of short-term memory capacity and short-term memory span increased significantly (P <0.05), while the decreased IA score in the CT group was more significant than that in the other two groups (P <0.05). ERP measurements showed that P300 latency was depressed and its amplitude raised in the EA group; MMN amplitude increased in the CT group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The EA in combination with PI could improve the cognitive function of IA patients, and its mechanism might be related to the speedup of cerebral discrimination on external stimulus and the enhancement of effective resource mobilization during information processing of the brain.

[Experimental study on preventive effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra to restenosis after carotid balloon injury in high fat-diet rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the preventive effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) to restenosis after carotid balloon injury in rabbits. METHODS: The rabbit model of carotid balloon injury was established adopting Clowes method, and treated with extract of RPR. Component of new genesic intima and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and macrophage was determined by immunochemical stain. The collagen of type I was detected by special staining for blood vessels and the area of new genesic intima was measured by image assay system. RESULTS: RPR could remarkably decreased the PCNA positive expression and inhibit the proliferation of collagen type I and reduce the generating of new intima. CONCLUSION: RPR has significant preventive effect on the restenosis after carotid ballon injury in high fat-diet induced atherosclerotic rabbits.