Wuzi Yanzong pill, a Chinese polyherbal formula, alleviates testicular damage in mice induced by ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine Wuzi Yanzong pill (WZYZP) was firstly documented in ancient Chinese medical works "She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang" by Shi-Che Zhang in 1550 AD. The traditional herbal formula is widely used in treating nephrasthenia lumbago, prospermia, erectile dysfunction and male sterility. The present study was to explore the effects of WZYZP on ionizing irradiation-induced testicular damage in mice. METHODS: The pelvic region of male mice was exposed to X-rays for inducing testicular damage. The effects of WZYZP on testicular damage were evaluated in terms of testes weight, sperm quantity and motility, testes oxidative status and serum hormone levels. The alterations in testicular structure were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, changes in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression of testes were explored by western blot. RESULTS: Pelvic exposure to x-ray induced reduction in testes weight and sperm quality, along with oxidative stress and abnormal testicular architecture in testes. Oral administration of WZYZP for 3 weeks markedly increased testes weight, sperm quantity and motility, and attenuated testicular architecture damage. Meanwhile, WZYZP treatment significantly reversed the reduction of serum testosterone, and decreased testes malondialdehyde (MDA) and Oxidative stress index (OSI) relative to the radiated mice. Additionally, WZYZP effectively prevented the downregulation of PCNA expression in testes induced by x-ray irradiation. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest WZYZP exhibits ameliorating effects against ionizing irradiation-induced testicular damage in mice, which may be related to its antioxidation.

[Effect of Scalp Penetration Acupuncture on the Expression of NGF in Brain Tissue around Hematoma of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Rats].

Objective To observe the effects of scalp penetration acupuncture on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in brain tissue around hematoma of intracerebral hemorrhage rats. Methods To- tally 120 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, the acupunc- ture group by random digit table, 40 in each group. Rats in each group were further randomly divided into 4 time points, i.e., 6 h, 24 h, day 3, day 7. The intracerebral hemorrhage rat model was prepared by modified autologous arterial blood method, intervened by electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui (DU20) through Taiyang (EX- HN5). Neuroethological assessment was conducted by Longa score. The expression of NGF positive cells in brain tissue around hematoma was detected using immunohistochemical method. The amount of NGF mRNA expression was measured by q-PCR. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, neurobehavioral scores increased, NGF positive cells increased, NGF mRNA expression increased in the model group at each time point, with statistical difference shown (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, 6 h neurobehavioral scores,NGF positive cells, mRNA expression of NGF did not change significantly in the acupuncture group, with no statistical difference shown (P > 0. 05). Neuroethological scores decreased, NGF positive cells increased, mRNA expression of NGF was up-regulated in the acupuncture group at 24 h, day 3 and 7, respec- tively, with statistical difference shown (P <0. 05). Conclusion scalp penetration acupuncture could up-regulate gene and protein expressions of NGF, and promote recovery of nerve function, showing favorable neuro-protective effects.